H.B. No. 524 Summary

• Changes the timeframe for exercising rights of disposition for deceased persons from "two days" to "forty-eight hours" after notification of death, or within seventy-two hours if no notification is given.

• Modifies licensing and operational requirements for funeral homes, embalmers, and funeral directors, including establishment of inactive license status with a two-year minimum before reactivation.

• Allows funeral hearses and funeral escort vehicles to display flashing, oscillating, or rotating purple or amber lights on streets and highways when used for special purposes.

• Updates preneed funeral contract regulations regarding funding, payment collection, trust requirements, and cancellation procedures for both insurance-funded and trust-funded contracts.

• Amends rules governing crematory facilities, including receipt requirements, record-keeping procedures, and liability protections for crematory operators and funeral homes.