The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau's Advisory Committee convened on October 11, 2023, to discuss key updates and statistical reports related to licensing and enforcement within the industry. The meeting began with acknowledgments of teamwork and technical difficulties experienced during the session.

The first agenda item focused on the licensing statistical report, presented by Licensing Manager Alexia Gallegos. She reported that the bureau met its performance measures for processing complete applications throughout the fiscal year. A total of 1,034 licenses were issued in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, showing a slight increase from the previous year. Online renewals accounted for nearly 50% of total renewals, although challenges with the online system were noted, particularly the absence of a cart feature for bulk renewals.

Gallegos also highlighted the passage rates for the five examinations administered, noting a recent decline in the passing rate for the funeral director exam. This prompted discussions among committee members regarding potential reasons for the shift, including the lack of educational prerequisites for exam candidates. The bureau plans to monitor the new exam's passage rate closely.

The committee then moved to the enforcement statistical report. Gallegos indicated a decrease in completed inspections, down to 921 from 1,240 in the previous fiscal year, primarily due to staffing vacancies. The total number of complaints received was approximately 999, with the majority concerning funeral licensees. A total of 228 citations were issued, reflecting ongoing trends in violations.

Committee members expressed interest in the rising number of complaints and citations, particularly regarding specific violations. The bureau's progressive discipline model was discussed, which aims to address repeated violations with increasing severity. The committee acknowledged the importance of maintaining compliance and the need for ongoing education and support for licensees.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public comments, although no additional requests were made. The committee plans to continue monitoring licensing and enforcement trends, with a focus on improving processes and supporting industry stakeholders.