Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Funeral Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances changes to unclaimed cremated remains law and funeral-industry requirements
Summary
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs worked House Bill 2,331 to clarify coroner notice timelines for unclaimed cremated remains, codify continuing-education requirements for funeral directors and embalmers, and add a provision on use of the word 'crematory' in business names; the committee adopted multiple amendments by voice votes. Transcript contains ambiguity about the final carryover status of the bill.
TOPEKA — The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs worked House Bill 2,331 on unclaimed cremated remains and related funeral-industry regulations, adopting several amendments by voice vote.
Jason (committee staff) explained an amendment clarifying the notice timeline: after a coroner waits the statutory three-year unclaimed period, the coroner would then publish a 30-day notice period to allow someone to claim cremated remains. "So the coroner would wait that three-year period, and after that had lapsed, then would publish notice giving an additional 30-day period for someone to come and claim the cremated remains," Jason said.
The committee also adopted an amendment to codify continuing-education requirements for licensed embalmers and funeral directors. The amendment adds a minimum of six hours annually, three of which must be in person or live online with verification of attendance and an opportunity for questions. Senator Tasha said the change codifies requirements funeral homes reported were already in place; Chris Holland, president of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, testified in support, stating that embalmers and funeral directors hold separate licenses but "they have the same continuing-education requirements." "I absolutely believe this is important. I would like to codify the current continuing-education requirements in the state of Kansas to uphold the standards of the profession," Holland said.
Another amendment clarified the use of the word "crematory" in business names, adding KSA language so a licensee could use the term on multiple licensed operations (for example, a funeral home) even if the crematory is not located on that premises.
The committee agreed to technical corrections and gave the reviser discretion to make drafting fixes. Several amendments were adopted by voice vote.
The transcript records a final motion to "pass House Bill 2,331 out favorably as amended" moved by Senator Thomas and seconded by Senator Francisco, with a voice vote recorded as "aye." However, the transcript also contains an unclear note immediately afterward that reads "House bill 2,331 is dead note" and "No division," creating ambiguity as to the bill’s procedural carryover or final status in this committee. That ambiguity is reflected in committee records and requires confirmation with the committee clerk for final disposition.
If advanced formally, the bill would change the statutory timeline and codify continuing-education standards described above.
