Committee approves bill clarifying funeral service agreements for transporting remains

Chairman Hill introduced House Bill 20 35 as a request of the funeral industry to clarify service agreements for transportation of human remains. Hill said the measure provides a structure for a common practice, describing the agreements as similar to home service warranties rather than insurance and arguing the clarification would give consumers better information when purchasing the product.

In questions, Representative Blankensat asked whether out-of-state transport providers would be exempt from the Oklahoma insurance code and whether the bill's wording would have that effect. Hill and supporters said the bill's language clarifies the product is a service agreement, not insurance, and that the same regulations should apply to providers regardless of where they are based. "This is just an agreement that someone can go into if they so choose," Hill said, and he likened the product to a home service warranty that can reduce unexpected costs for families.

The committee moved the measure, recorded the vote as noted in the transcript, and the chair declared the bill passed; the committee adjourned after completing the last bill of the day.