MS HB679

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

Requires life insurers to respond within two business days with information about policy existence, beneficiaries, outstanding liens or loans, benefit amounts, and whether the policy was reinstated in the last 24 months.

Allows funeral service providers to refer unresponsive insurers to the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection as a consumer complaint if no response is received within two business days.

Requires funeral service providers to make reasonable efforts within 100 hours to locate beneficiaries and provide them with all insurance information, along with a written notice in bold print stating beneficiaries have no legal obligation to use policy funds for funeral expenses or debts.

Establishes that false requests for information or failure to comply with notification requirements constitutes unprofessional conduct and grounds for loss of licensure as a funeral director.