September 1 brings changes that may affect your funeral home
During the last legislative session, several laws were passed that go into effect September 1 or 2. The one affecting most funeral homes is SB 864 (funeral home retail price lists). Starting September 1, you may be required to add an additional line to your GPL. If you charge a fee (flat fee or percentage) to assist a family in filing a life insurance policy, you are required to put the amount on your GPL. After some discussion with our lobbyist and legal counsel, we are suggesting that even if you do not charge this fee, you should include it on your GPL and list the cost as $0. The language that has been approved is "Life Insurance Filing Fee".
If you supervise provisional licensees, a law also goes into effect that clarifies that provisional period. The law used to read that a provisional licensee could not work more than 17 hours per week or 73 hours per month. It also read that they could not work less than 17 hours per week or 73 hours per month. This language was changed to reflect the provisional period of no less than 12 months and no more than 24 months without a weekly or monthly minimum/maximum number of hours. A rule will be passed at the September 13 Commission meeting to reflect this change.
Also going into effect September 1 is a bill that effects whether the funeral director in charge (FDIC) is charged with a violation if the violation was the responsibility of a licensed employee. All three of the above items were included in one bill. To read the entire text go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SB864.
Also passed and going into effect on September 2, 2011 is a metal recycling bill. Metal recyclers are required to hold items that appear to be cemetery related for 8 -days before destroying them. This new hold takes effect Sept. 2 with some exceptions that extend the date to March 1, 2012. If you notice missing cemetery items, get the word out to the metal recyclers right away -- you may find them before they are destroyed.
The bill requiring TER to spell out the month on death certificates took effect June 17, 2011. However TDSHS has been given a 12-18 month extension to get this programming change done.
Go to the Legislative Page of the website for more information.
Comments on this article
Join TFDA
Membership Makes A Difference
By joining the Texas Funeral Directors Association you will get access to the latest legislative information, cutting edge training and technical information and tools vital to maintaining and growing your business. Most importantly, you will get access to a community of your peers to share ideas and cumulative years of experience. Don't wait another minute. Join now to learn, grow and connect.
TFDA's Mission Statement: Promote and improve the funeral industry and consumer relations, through education and legislative capabilities, making the membership better informed and capable of responding to the consumer at local levels.
TFDA's Vision Statement for 2011-2012:
Building: Awareness - Business - Connections
