Senate Bill 1342 Summary

• Repeals the registration category for "apprentice embalmers" and establishes a new category of "intern trainee" who can work temporarily for funeral establishments while enrolled or intending to enroll in mortuary science programs.

• Allows intern trainees to assist in preparation of human remains and embalming after completing at least 16 hours of approved training in procedures, ethics, safety, and universal precautions, while under direct supervision of a licensed embalmer.

• Permits intern trainees to work for a maximum of one year without requiring board registration, but funeral establishments must submit trainee information and fingerprint background checks to the board.

• Modifies the qualifications for embalmer's assistant registration by removing the five-year apprentice embalmer requirement and allowing direct registration based on practical examination and other board criteria.

• Updates related statutes to remove references to apprentice embalmers throughout Chapter 12 of Title 32 and adds definitions for intern trainee and related terminology.