MS HB1006

Authorizes licensed funeral directors and employees to request information about a deceased person's life insurance contracts from insurers by providing a death notification, written authorization from those with legal authority to direct disposition, and group affiliation information if applicable.

Requires insurers to promptly inform funeral directors of the existence of life insurance contracts, named beneficiaries, outstanding liens or loans, benefit amounts payable, and whether the policy was reinstated within the last 24 months.

Allows funeral directors to refer requests to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection if insurers fail to provide timely responses after all required information is submitted.

Mandates funeral directors make reasonable efforts within 100 hours to locate beneficiaries and provide them with insurance information and a written notice stating beneficiaries have no legal obligation to use policy proceeds for funeral expenses or the deceased's debts.

Establishes that funeral directors making false requests or failing to notify beneficiaries shall be deemed to have committed unprofessional conduct and be unfit to practice funeral service; effective July 1, 2017.