MS HB385

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

Requires life insurance companies to respond within two business days with information about policy existence, beneficiaries on record, outstanding liens or loans, benefit amounts, and whether the policy was reinstated in the last 24 months, and must provide a claim form.

Permits referral to the Office of Consumer Protection if an insurer fails to respond within two business days after receiving a complete request.

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

Establishes that false requests or failure to comply with notification requirements constitute unprofessional conduct and grounds for license revocation; effective July 1, 2019.