MS HB1273

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

Requires life insurance companies to promptly inform authorized funeral service providers of policy existence, listed beneficiaries, outstanding liens or loans, benefit amounts payable, and whether the policy was reinstated within the past 24 months.

Allows funeral service providers 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 service providers make reasonable efforts within 100 hours to locate and notify beneficiaries of policy information, and must inform beneficiaries in bold print that they have no legal obligation to spend insurance proceeds on funeral expenses or the deceased's debts.

Classifies making false requests for information or failing to notify beneficiaries as unprofessional conduct that renders funeral directors unfit to practice.

Effective July 1, 2022.