Committee advances bill clarifying transportation and consumer protections for funeral contracts

House Bill 12‑17, a bill focused on consumer protections in the funeral services industry, advanced out of the Business, Labor and Technology Committee on a 6–0 vote and was placed on the consent calendar.

Sponsors said the measure clarifies three main areas: that transportation protection agreements are separate services from pre‑need funeral contracts; the bill clarifies trade practices that may be criminally prosecuted; and it adjusts a licensing date established last year. The transportation protection agreement language is intended to guarantee that, if a person dies while more than a set mileage from their home, their remains can be transported back under terms spelled out in a separate agreement. During questioning, committee members clarified that the mileage threshold in the bill is 75 miles, not 45 miles as one committee member initially stated.

Senator Catlin said the bill is intended to protect families from situations in which funeral homes stop performing services after taking pre‑need payments or when transportation costs are unexpectedly borne by grieving relatives. Sponsors said pre‑need contracts remain regulated but that transportation agreements are often operationally distinct and may be handled by third‑party vendors.

No witnesses opposed the measure. The committee voted to advance the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; Senator Catlin moved the bill and the committee’s roll call recorded unanimous approval. The bill was then added to the consent calendar for floor consideration.