MS HB637

Authorizes licensed funeral directors and funeral establishment employees to request life insurance information about deceased persons by providing the insurer with a death notification, written authorization from the person directing disposition, and group affiliation details if applicable.

Requires life insurers to inform authorized funeral service providers of policy existence, beneficiaries on record, outstanding liens or loans, benefit amounts payable, policy reinstatement status within 24 months, and to provide claim forms.

Allows referral to the Office of Consumer Protection if an insurer fails to respond timely to a properly documented information request.

Requires funeral service providers to locate beneficiaries within 100 hours of receiving insurance information and provide them all documents obtained, along with written notice in bold that beneficiaries have no legal obligation to spend policy proceeds on funeral expenses or the deceased's debts.

Establishes that funeral directors making false information requests or failing to notify beneficiaries shall be deemed to have committed unprofessional conduct and be unfit to practice, effective July 1, 2016.