Senate Bill sb0528e1

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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to regulation of the funeral

  3         and cemetery industry; providing a short title;

  4         creating in the Department of Financial

  5         Services the Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and

  6         Consumer Services; creating in the Department

  7         of Financial Services the Board of Funeral,

  8         Cemetery, and Consumer Services; abolishing the

  9         Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services;

10         abolishing the Board of Funeral Directors and

11         Embalmers; consolidating regulation under chs.

12         470 and 497, F.S., into ch. 497, F.S., under

13         the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer

14         Services in the Department of Financial

15         Services; removing responsibility regarding ch.

16         470, F.S., from the Department of Business and

17         Professional Regulation; dividing ch. 497,

18         F.S., into part I relating to general

19         provisions, part II relating to cemetery

20         regulation, part III relating to funeral

21         directing, embalming, and related services,

22         part IV relating to preneed sales, part V

23         relating to monument establishments, and part

24         VI relating to cremation, crematories, and

25         direct disposition; providing for the continued

26         validity of licenses, registrations, and

27         certificates issued under chs. 470 and 497,

28         F.S.; providing for continued validity of rules

29         of the Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services,

30         the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers,

31         and the Department of Business and Professional


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         Regulation, adopted under or in relation to ch.

 2         470, F.S., or ch. 497, F.S.; providing for

 3         continued validity of orders entered by the

 4         Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services, the

 5         Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, and

 6         the Department of Business and Professional

 7         Regulation for or in relation to the

 8         enforcement of ch. 470, F.S., or ch. 497, F.S.;

 9         providing for the substitution of the

10         Department of Financial Services and the Board

11         of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services as

12         parties in pending litigation; providing for

13         type two transfers; providing for a

14         transitional timeline and procedures;

15         eliminating or consolidating duplicative

16         provisions from chs. 470 and 497, F.S.;

17         replacing references to registrations,

18         registrants, certificates, and

19         certificateholders with references to licenses

20         and licensees; conforming internal statutory

21         references; amending ss. 497.001, 497.002,

22         497.005, 497.101, 497.103, and 497.107, F.S.,

23         to conform; amending and renumbering ss.

24         470.006, 470.007, 470.008, 470.0085, 470.0087,

25         470.009, 470.011, 470.012, 470.013, 470.014,

26         470.015, 470.016, 470.0165, 470.017, 470.018,

27         470.0201, 470.021, 470.022, 470.024, 470.025,

28         470.0255, 470.026, 470.029, 470.0294, 470.0295,

29         470.0301, 470.0315, 470.032, 470.0355,

30         470.0375, 470.038, 470.039, 470.0395, 497.003,

31         497.004, 497.025, 497.0255, 497.121, 497.133,


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         497.201, 497.205, 497.213, 497.229, 497.237,

 2         497.241, 497.245, 497.249, 497.253, 497.255,

 3         497.257, 497.305, 497.309, 497.313, 497.317,

 4         497.321, 497.325, 497.329, 497.333, 497.337,

 5         497.345, 497.349, 497.353, 497.357, 497.361,

 6         497.401, 497.403, 497.405, 497.407, 497.409,

 7         497.411, 497.413, 497.415, 497.417, 497.419,

 8         497.421, 497.423, 497.425, 497.427, 497.429,

 9         497.436, 497.437, 497.439, 497.441, 497.525,

10         497.527, and 497.531, F.S., to conform;

11         creating ss. 497.0021, 497.141, 497.142,

12         497.143, 497.144, 497.145, 497.146, 497.147,

13         497.148, 497.149, 497.150, 497.151, 497.152,

14         497.153, 497.156, 497.157, 497.159, 497.161,

15         497.163, 497.166, 497.167, 497.168, 497.274,

16         497.275, 497.365, 497.366, 497.367, 497.551,

17         497.552, 497.553, 497.554, 497.555, 497.556,

18         and 497.608, F.S.; amending chapter name;

19         clarifying purpose and intent of chapter;

20         amending and providing additional definitions;

21         creating the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and

22         Consumer Services, identifying criteria for

23         membership, describing procedures for

24         appointment of members, and providing

25         administrative procedures regarding operation;

26         allocating authority and responsibility between

27         the board and the Department of Financial

28         Services; providing procedures for establishing

29         and processing fees; providing for creation of

30         disciplinary guidelines; providing for the

31         issuance of disciplinary citations; providing


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         authority for judicial actions to terminate

 2         violations and abate nuisances; establishing

 3         health and safety education requirements;

 4         establishing authority and requirements for the

 5         regulation of solicitation of goods and

 6         services; establishing liability of owners and

 7         others for trust fund deficits; authorizing and

 8         clarifying provisions regarding private

 9         actions; prohibiting unauthorized arrangements

10         for the sale of funeral or burial merchandiser

11         services; clarifying authority and procedures

12         regarding complaints against unlicensed

13         cemeteries; establishing prohibitions against

14         discrimination based on race or color;

15         providing procedures for the transfer of

16         cemetery licenses; requiring reference to

17         authorizing statute in trust instrument's;

18         clarifying requirements for minimum acreage in

19         cemeteries; establishing requirements for sale,

20         leasing, or encumbering cemetery lands;

21         amending requirements regarding illegal tying

22         arrangements; establishing requirements

23         regarding burial rights brokers; establishing

24         requirements regarding informational brochures

25         to be provided by cemeteries to customers;

26         authorizing payment of court costs and attorney

27         fees in litigation to enforce reporting

28         requirements by unlicensed cemeteries;

29         authorizing fees to be specified by the board

30         subject to caps; providing rulemaking authority

31         to the board and the department; establishing


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         and clarifying requirements regarding the

 2         processing of the human bodies; establishing

 3         requirements for the approval of preneed

 4         contract forms and related forms; authorizing

 5         rules regarding the reliance by preneed

 6         trustees on the advice of investment advisers,

 7         and restricting payments to investment

 8         advisers; establishing restrictions on the

 9         investing or loaning of preneed trust funds;

10         providing additional authority in the board

11         concerning orders to liquidate specified

12         preneed trust fund investments; providing

13         additional authority in the board regarding the

14         requirements of preneed trust instrument's;

15         providing requirements and additional authority

16         in the board regarding surrender of preneed

17         licenses; providing procedures and requirements

18         regarding application and issuance of licenses

19         to preneed sales agents; clarifying and

20         establishing requirements regarding persons

21         legally authorized to authorize burial and

22         funeral services and procedures; clarifying

23         applicability of parts; providing general

24         procedures applicable to licensing; providing

25         authority and procedures regarding submission

26         and processing of fingerprints; providing

27         authority and procedures for limited licensing

28         of retired professionals; providing procedures

29         and requirements regarding licensing

30         examinations; allowing use of professional

31         testing services; providing requirements for


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         notification of licensee change of address;

 2         providing procedures and requirements for

 3         continuing education; providing requirements

 4         for monitoring of continuing education by

 5         licensees; providing procedures and authority

 6         for investigations, inspections, and hearings

 7         to be conducted by the department; providing

 8         procedures and authority for financial and

 9         compliance examinations of licensees by the

10         department; establishing requirements and

11         authority regarding retention of complaints and

12         creation of complaint logs; establishing

13         grounds for disciplinary action; establishing

14         disciplinary procedures and authorizing

15         penalties; providing authority and procedures

16         for action against unlicensed practice;

17         identifying conduct constituting criminal

18         violations; authorizing and providing

19         procedures for receivership proceedings;

20         authorizing rules; providing restrictions in

21         relation to citizenship; establishing

22         responsibility of licensees regarding preneed

23         sales by persons under their supervision;

24         clarifying the relationship of part IV to other

25         parts of the chapter; requiring toll-free

26         telephone hotline; identifying and providing

27         authority and procedures regarding executive

28         director of the board; establishing

29         requirements for submission for budget;

30         establishing requirements for training program

31         for the board members; authorizing newsletters


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         and other informational communications with

 2         licensees; authorizing screen of licensed

 3         records in relation to child support

 4         requirements; clarifying status in regard to

 5         insurance coverage and immunity of agents

 6         retained by the department; authorizing use of

 7         disciplinary settlement funds for training of

 8         staff; establishing deadlines for completeness

 9         of applications for submission and board

10         meetings; authorizing rules record applicants

11         to appear before the board for oral interview

12         by the board; establishing procedures for

13         calculating deadlines for filings by licensees;

14         clarifying status of elected officials licensed

15         under the chapter; providing for presentation

16         of applications to the board by the department;

17         providing standing to the department in

18         judicial proceedings; providing for certain

19         legal services to the board by the Department

20         of Legal Affairs; establishing requirements and

21         authority regarding member of the military

22         reserves; establishing procedures and fees for

23         application for licensure as a cemetery;

24         establishing standards and mapping requirements

25         for grave spaces; establishing requirements for

26         placement of identification tags on grave

27         vaults, mausoleum crypts, and other outer

28         burial containers, in licensed cemeteries;

29         establishing requirements and procedures

30         regarding inactive and delinquent licenses

31         under part III; establishing requirements for


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         sending renewal and cancellation of licensed

 2         notices; establishing requirements for

 3         instruction on HIV and AIDS; authorizing fees

 4         to be determined by the board subject to

 5         specified caps; providing rulemaking authority

 6         to the board and department; establishing and

 7         clarifying requirements regarding the handling

 8         and processing of dead human bodies;

 9         establishing requirements regarding

10         identification of human remains in licensed and

11         unlicensed cemeteries, and by direct disposal

12         establishments; establishing procedures and

13         requirements regarding application for preneed

14         license; authorizing issuance of licenses on

15         probationary status; establishing procedures

16         and requirements for change in control of the

17         preneed license; establishing requirements

18         regarding renewal of preneed licenses;

19         establishing requirements and procedures for

20         the licensure and operation of preneed

21         branches; establishing requirements regarding

22         reports by preneed trusts; establishing

23         procedures and requirements for the licensure

24         of monument establishment businesses;

25         establishing requirements for the renewal of

26         monument establishment licenses; establishing

27         requirements for approval of sales agreement

28         forms used by monument establishments;

29         establishing requirements for procedures by

30         monument establishments in relation to

31         complaints from customers; establishing


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         requirements for refund of moneys to customers

 2         in regard to failure to deliver monuments

 3         according to contract terms; establishing

 4         requirements and procedures for the licensing

 5         of sales persons employed by monument

 6         establishments; establishing procedures and

 7         requirements regarding licensure of monument

 8         establishments to engage in preneed sales;

 9         establishing requirements and procedures for

10         licensure of direct disposers; establishing

11         requirements and procedures for licensure of

12         direct disposal establishments; establishing

13         requirements applicable to the operation of

14         direct disposal establishments; establishing

15         procedures and requirements for the licensure

16         of cinerator facilities; establishing

17         requirements and procedures for the supervision

18         and operation of cinerator facilities;

19         establishing restrictions on liability for

20         unintentional commingling of cremation

21         residues; amending ss. 20.121, 20.165,

22         316.1974, 381.0098, 382.002, 403.703, 406.02,

23         406.50, 406.52, 406.53, 455.2226, 501.022,

24         501.604, 626.785, and 765.519, F.S.; conforming

25         references; repealing ss. 470.001, 470.002,

26         470.003, 470.005, 470.019, 470.023, 470.027,

27         470.028, 470.031, 470.033, 470.034, 470.035,

28         470.036, 497.105, 497.109, 497.111, 497.113,

29         497.115, 497.117, 497.119, 497.123, 497.125,

30         497.127, 497.129, 497.131, 497.135, 497.137,

31         497.209, 497.217, 497.221, 497.225, 497.233,


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         497.301, 497.341, 497.431, 497.435, 497.443,

 2         497.445, 497.447, 497.515, 497.517, 497.519,

 3         and 497.529, F.S., to conform; providing

 4         effective dates.

 5  

 6  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

 7  

 8         Section 1.  This act may be cited as the "Senator

 9  Howard E. Futch Act."

10         Section 2.  Part I of chapter 497, Florida Statutes,

11  consisting of sections 497.001, 497.002, 497.0021, 497.005,

12  497.101, 497.103, 497.107, 497.140, 497.141, 497.142, 497.143,

13  497.144, 497.145, 497.146, 497.147, 497.148, 497.149, 497.150,

14  497.151, 497.152, 497.153, 497.154, 497.155, 497.156, 497.157,

15  497.158, 497.159, 497.160, 497.161, 497.162, 497.163, 497.164,

16  497.165, 497.166, 497.167, 497.168, 497.169, and 497.170, is

17  created to read:

18                              PART I

19                        GENERAL PROVISIONS

20         Section 3.  Section 497.001, Florida Statutes, is

21  amended to read:

22         497.001  Short title.--This chapter may be cited as the

23  "Florida Funeral, and Cemetery, and Consumer Services Act."

24         Section 4.  Section 497.002, Florida Statutes, is

25  amended to read:

26         497.002  Purpose and intent.--

27         (1)  The Legislature recognizes that purchasers of

28  preneed burial rights, funeral or burial merchandise, or

29  funeral or burial services may suffer serious economic harm if

30  purchase money is not set aside for future use as intended by

31  the purchaser and that the failure to maintain cemetery


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  grounds properly may cause significant emotional stress.

 2  Therefore, it is necessary in the interest of the public

 3  welfare to regulate preneed sales and cemeteries

 4  certificateholders, licensees, registrants, and cemetery

 5  companies in this state. However, restrictions shall be

 6  imposed only to the extent necessary to protect the public

 7  from significant or discernible harm or damage and not in a

 8  manner which will unreasonably affect the competitive market.

 9         (2)  Subject to certain interests of society, the

10  Legislature finds that every competent adult has the right to

11  control the decisions relating to her or his own funeral

12  arrangements. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated herein, it

13  is the Legislature's express intent that nothing contained in

14  this chapter should be construed or interpreted in any manner

15  as to subject preneed contract purchasers to federal income

16  taxation under the grantor trust rules contained in ss. 671 et

17  seq. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

18         (3)  The Legislature deems it necessary in the interest

19  of public health and safety to establish minimum

20  qualifications for entry into the professions and occupations

21  of embalming, funeral directing, cremation, direct

22  disposition, and monument sales, to regulate such activities,

23  and to provide for swift and effective discipline for those

24  practitioners who violate the law.

25         Section 5.  Section 497.0021, Florida Statutes, is

26  created to read:

27         497.0021  Applicability of parts.--The provisions of

28  this part shall be applicable to and supplement the provisions

29  of parts II, III, IV, V, and VI of this chapter and shall be

30  applicable to all licensees under this chapter, except to the

31  extent specifically provided otherwise in this chapter.


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         Section 6.  Section 497.005, Florida Statutes, is

 2  amended to read:

 3         497.005  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

 4         (1)  "Alternative container" means a nonmetal

 5  receptacle or enclosure which is less expensive than a casket

 6  and of sufficient strength to be used to hold and transport a

 7  dead human body.

 8         (2)(1)  "At-need solicitation" means any uninvited

 9  contact by a licensee or her or his agent for the purpose of

10  the sale of burial services or merchandise to the family or

11  next of kin of a person after her or his death has occurred.

12         (3)(2)  "Bank of belowground crypts" means any

13  construction unit of belowground crypts which is acceptable to

14  the department and which a cemetery uses to initiate its

15  belowground crypt program or to add to existing belowground

16  crypt structures.

17         (4)(3)  "Belowground crypts" consist of interment space

18  in preplaced chambers, either side by side or multiple depth,

19  covered by earth and sod and known also as "lawn crypts,"

20  "westminsters," or "turf-top crypts."

21         (5)(4)  "Board" means the Board of Funeral, and

22  Cemetery, and Consumer Services.

23         (6)  "Body parts" means:

24         (a)  Limbs or other portions of the anatomy which are

25  removed from a person or human remains for medical purposes

26  during treatment, surgery, biopsy, autopsy, or medical

27  research; or

28         (b)  Human bodies or any portions of human bodies which

29  have been donated to science for medical research purposes.

30         (7)(5)  "Burial merchandise," "funeral merchandise," or

31  "merchandise" means any personal property offered or sold by


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  any person for use in connection with the final disposition,

 2  memorialization, interment, entombment, or inurnment of human

 3  remains.

 4         (8)(6)  "Burial right" means the right to use a grave

 5  space, mausoleum, columbarium, ossuary, or scattering garden

 6  for the interment, entombment, inurnment, or other disposition

 7  of human remains.

 8         (9)(7)  "Burial service," "funeral service," or

 9  "service" means any service offered or provided by any person

10  in connection with the final disposition, memorialization,

11  interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains.

12         (10)(8)  "Care and maintenance" means the perpetual

13  process of keeping a cemetery and its lots, graves, grounds,

14  landscaping, roads, paths, parking lots, fences, mausoleums,

15  columbaria, vaults, crypts, utilities, and other improvements,

16  structures, and embellishments in a well-cared-for and

17  dignified condition, so that the cemetery does not become a

18  nuisance or place of reproach and desolation in the community.

19  As specified in the rules of the licensing authority board,

20  "care and maintenance" may include, but is not limited to, any

21  or all of the following activities: mowing the grass at

22  reasonable intervals; raking and cleaning the grave spaces and

23  adjacent areas; pruning of shrubs and trees; suppression of

24  weeds and exotic flora; and maintenance, upkeep, and repair of

25  drains, water lines, roads, buildings, and other improvements.

26  "Care and maintenance" may include, but is not limited to,

27  reasonable overhead expenses necessary for such purposes,

28  including maintenance of machinery, tools, and equipment used

29  for such purposes. "Care and maintenance" may also include

30  repair or restoration of improvements necessary or desirable

31  as a result of wear, deterioration, accident, damage, or


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  destruction. "Care and maintenance" does not include expenses

 2  for the construction and development of new grave spaces or

 3  interment structures to be sold to the public.

 4         (11)(9)  "Casket" means a rigid container which is

 5  designed for the encasement of human remains and which is

 6  usually constructed of wood or metal, ornamented, and lined

 7  with fabric.

 8         (12)(10)  "Cemetery" means a place dedicated to and

 9  used or intended to be used for the permanent interment of

10  human remains. A cemetery may contain land or earth interment;

11  mausoleum, vault, or crypt interment; a columbarium, ossuary,

12  scattering garden, or other structure or place used or

13  intended to be used for the interment or disposition of

14  cremated human remains; or any combination of one or more of

15  such structures or places.

16         (13)(11)  "Cemetery company" means any legal entity

17  that owns or controls cemetery lands or property.

18         (14)  "Centralized embalming facility" means a

19  facility, not physically connected with a funeral

20  establishment, in which embalming takes place.

21         (12)  "Certificateholder" or "licensee" means the

22  person or entity that is authorized under this chapter to sell

23  preneed funeral or burial services, preneed funeral or burial

24  merchandise, or burial rights. Each term shall include the

25  other, as applicable, as the context requires. For the

26  purposes of chapter 120, all certificateholders, licensees,

27  and registrants shall be considered licensees.

28         (15)  "Cinerator" means a facility where dead human

29  bodies are reduced to a residue, including bone fragments, by

30  direct flame, also known as "cremation," or by intense heat,

31  also known as "calcination."


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (16)  "Closed container" means any container in which

 2  cremated remains can be placed and closed in a manner so as to

 3  prevent leakage or spillage of the remains.

 4         (17)(13)  "Columbarium" means a structure or building

 5  which is substantially exposed above the ground and which is

 6  intended to be used for the inurnment of cremated human

 7  remains.

 8         (18)(14)  "Common business enterprise" means a group of

 9  two or more business entities that share common ownership in

10  excess of 50 percent.

11         (19)  "Control" means the possession, directly or

12  indirectly, through the ownership of voting shares, by

13  contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or

14  otherwise, of the power to direct or cause the direction of

15  the management and policies of a person or entity. However, a

16  person or entity shall not be deemed to have control if the

17  person or entity holds voting shares, in good faith and not

18  for the purpose of circumventing this definition, as an agent,

19  bank, broker, nominee, custodian, or trustee for one or more

20  beneficial owners who do not individually or as a group have

21  control.

22         (20)  "Cremated remains" means all the remains of the

23  human body recovered after the completion of the cremation

24  process, including processing or pulverization which leaves

25  only bone fragments reduced to unidentifiable dimensions and

26  may include the residue of any foreign matter, including

27  casket material, bridgework, or eyeglasses that were cremated

28  with the human remains.

29         (21)(15)  "Cremation" means the technical process,

30  using direct flame and heat or chemical means, which reduces

31  human remains to bone fragments through heat and evaporation.


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  Cremation includes the processing and usually includes the

 2  pulverization of the bone fragments includes any mechanical or

 3  thermal process whereby a dead human body is reduced to ashes.

 4  Cremation also includes any other mechanical or thermal

 5  process whereby human remains are pulverized, burned,

 6  recremated, or otherwise further reduced in size or quantity.

 7         (22)  "Cremation chamber" means the enclosed space

 8  within which the cremation process takes place. Cremation

 9  chambers covered by these procedures must be used exclusively

10  for the cremation of human remains.

11         (23)  "Cremation container" means the container in

12  which the human remains are transported to and placed in the

13  cremation chamber for a cremation. A cremation container

14  should meet substantially all of the following standards:

15         (a)  Be composed of readily combustible materials

16  suitable for cremation.

17         (b)  Be able to be closed in order to provide a

18  complete covering for the human remains.

19         (c)  Be resistant to leakage or spillage.

20         (d)  Be rigid enough to be handled with ease.

21         (e)  Be able to provide protection for the health,

22  safety, and personal integrity of crematory personnel.

23         (24)  "Cremation interment container" means a rigid

24  outer container that, subject to a cemetery's rules and

25  regulations, is composed of concrete, steel, fiberglass, or

26  some similar material in which an urn is placed prior to being

27  interred in the ground and that is designed to support the

28  earth above the urn.

29         (25)(16)  "Department" means the Department of

30  Financial Services.

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (26)  "Direct disposal establishment" means a facility

 2  licensed under this chapter where a direct disposer practices

 3  direct disposition.

 4         (27)(17)  "Direct disposer" means any person licensed

 5  under this chapter who is registered in this state to practice

 6  direct disposition in this state pursuant to the provisions of

 7  chapter 470.

 8         (28)  "Director" means the director of the Division of

 9  Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services.

10         (29)  "Disinterment" means removal of a dead human body

11  from earth interment or aboveground interment.

12         (30)  "Division" means the Division of Funeral,

13  Cemetery, and Consumer Services within the Department of

14  Financial Services.

15         (31)  "Embalmer" means any person licensed under this

16  chapter to practice embalming in this state.

17         (32)(18)  "Final disposition" means the final disposal

18  of a dead human body by earth interment, aboveground

19  interment, cremation, burial at sea, or delivery to a medical

20  institution for lawful dissection if the medical institution

21  assumes responsibility for disposal. "Final disposition" does

22  not include the disposal or distribution of ashes and residue

23  of cremated remains whether by interment, entombment, burial

24  at sea, cremation, or any other means and includes, but is not

25  limited to, any other disposition of remains for which a

26  segregated charge is imposed.

27         (33)  "Funeral" or "funeral service" means the

28  observances, services, or ceremonies held to commemorate the

29  life of a specific deceased human being and at which the human

30  remains are present.

31  


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 1         (34)(19)  "Funeral director" means any person licensed

 2  under this chapter in this state to practice funeral directing

 3  in this state pursuant to the provisions of chapter 470 .

 4         (35)  "Funeral establishment" means a facility licensed

 5  under this chapter where a funeral director or embalmer

 6  practices funeral directing or embalming.

 7         (36)  "Funeral merchandise" or "merchandise" means any

 8  merchandise commonly sold in connection with the funeral,

 9  final disposition, or memorialization of human remains,

10  including, but not limited to, caskets, outer burial

11  containers, alternative containers, cremation containers,

12  cremation interment containers, urns, monuments, private

13  mausoleums, flowers, benches, vases, acknowledgment cards,

14  register books, memory folders, prayer cards, and clothing.

15         (37)(20)  "Grave space" means a space of ground in a

16  cemetery intended to be used for the interment in the ground

17  of human remains.

18         (38)(21)  "Human remains" or "remains," or "dead human

19  body" or "dead human bodies," means the body of a deceased

20  human person for which a death certificate or fetal death

21  certificate is required under chapter 382 and includes the

22  body in any stage of decomposition and the residue of cremated

23  human bodies means the bodies of deceased persons and includes

24  bodies in any stage of decomposition and cremated remains.

25         (39)  "Legally authorized person" means, in the

26  priority listed, the decedent, when written inter vivos

27  authorizations and directions are provided by the decedent;

28  the surviving spouse, unless the spouse has been arrested for

29  committing against the deceased an act of domestic violence as

30  defined in s. 741.28 which resulted in or contributed to the

31  death of the deceased; a son or daughter who is 18 years of


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  age or older; a parent; a brother or sister who is 18 years of

 2  age or older; a grandchild who is 18 years of age or older; a

 3  grandparent; or any person in the next degree of kinship. In

 4  addition, the term may include, if no family member exists or

 5  is available, the guardian of the dead person at the time of

 6  death; the personal representative of the deceased; the

 7  attorney in fact of the dead person at the time of death; the

 8  health surrogate of the dead person at the time of death; a

 9  public health officer; the medical examiner, county

10  commission, or administrator acting under part II of chapter

11  406 or other public administrator; a representative of a

12  nursing home or other health care institution in charge of

13  final disposition; or a friend or other person not listed in

14  this subsection who is willing to assume the responsibility as

15  the legally authorized person. Where there is a person in any

16  priority class listed in this subsection, the funeral

17  establishment shall rely upon the authorization of any one

18  legally authorized person of that class if that individual

19  represents that she or he is not aware of any objection to the

20  cremation of the deceased's human remains by others in the

21  same class of the person making the representation or of any

22  person in a higher priority class.

23         (40)  "License" includes all authorizations required or

24  issued under this chapter, except where expressly indicated

25  otherwise, and shall be understood to include authorizations

26  previously referred to as registrations or certificates of

27  authority in chapters 470 and 497 as those chapters appeared

28  in the 2004 edition of the Florida Statutes.

29         (41)  "Licensee" means the person or entity holding any

30  license or other authorization issued under this chapter,

31  except where expressly indicated otherwise.


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 1         (42)(22)  "Mausoleum" means a structure or building

 2  which is substantially exposed above the ground and which is

 3  intended to be used for the entombment of human remains.

 4         (43)(23)  "Mausoleum section" means any construction

 5  unit of a mausoleum which is acceptable to the department and

 6  which a cemetery uses to initiate its mausoleum program or to

 7  add to its existing mausoleum structures.

 8         (44)(24)  "Monument" means any product used for

 9  identifying a grave site and cemetery memorials of all types,

10  including monuments, markers, and vases.

11         (45)(25)  "Monument establishment" means a facility

12  that operates independently of a cemetery or funeral

13  establishment and that offers to sell monuments or monument

14  services to the public for placement in a cemetery.

15         (46)(26)  "Net assets" means the amount by which the

16  total assets of a licensee certificateholder, excluding

17  goodwill, franchises, customer lists, patents, trademarks, and

18  receivables from or advances to officers, directors,

19  employees, salespersons, and affiliated companies, exceed

20  total liabilities of the licensee certificateholder. For

21  purposes of this definition, the term "total liabilities" does

22  not include the capital stock, paid-in capital, or retained

23  earnings of the licensee certificateholder.

24         (47)(27)  "Net worth" means total assets minus total

25  liabilities pursuant to generally accepted accounting

26  principles.

27         (48)  "Niche" means a compartment or cubicle for the

28  memorialization or permanent placement of a container or urn

29  containing cremated remains.

30         (49)(28)  "Ossuary" means a receptacle used for the

31  communal placement of cremated human remains without benefit


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 1  of an urn or any other container in which cremated remains may

 2  be commingled with other cremated remains and are

 3  nonrecoverable. It may or may not include memorialization.

 4         (50)(29)  "Outer burial container" means an enclosure

 5  into which a casket is placed and includes, but is not limited

 6  to, vaults made of concrete, steel, fiberglass, or copper;

 7  sectional concrete enclosures; crypts; and wooden enclosures.

 8         (51)  "Person" when used without qualification such as

 9  "natural" or "individual" includes both natural persons and

10  legal entities.

11         (52)  "Personal residence" means any residential

12  building in which one temporarily or permanently maintains her

13  or his abode, including, but not limited to, an apartment or a

14  hotel, motel, nursing home, convalescent home, home for the

15  aged, or a public or private institution.

16         (53)  "Practice of direct disposition" means the

17  cremation of human remains without preparation of the human

18  remains by embalming and without any attendant services or

19  rites such as funeral or graveside services or the making of

20  arrangements for such final disposition.

21         (54)  "Practice of embalming" means disinfecting or

22  preserving or attempting to disinfect or preserve dead human

23  bodies by replacing certain body fluids with preserving and

24  disinfecting chemicals.

25         (55)  "Practice of funeral directing" means the

26  performance by a licensed funeral director of any of those

27  functions authorized by s. 497.372.

28         (56)(30)  "Preneed contract" means any arrangement or

29  method, of which the provider of funeral merchandise or

30  services has actual knowledge, whereby any person agrees to

31  furnish funeral merchandise or service in the future.


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 1         (57)  "Preneed sales agent" means any person who is

 2  licensed under this chapter to sell preneed burial or funeral

 3  service and merchandise contracts or direct disposition

 4  contracts in this state.

 5         (58)  "Principal" means and includes the sole

 6  proprietor of a sole proprietorship; all partners of a

 7  partnership; all members of a limited liability company;

 8  regarding a corporation, all directors and officers, and all

 9  stockholders controlling more than 10 percent of the voting

10  stock; and all other persons who can exercise control over the

11  person or entity.

12         (59)  "Processing" means the reduction of identifiable

13  bone fragments after the completion of the cremation process

14  to unidentifiable bone fragments by manual means.

15         (60)  "Profession" and "occupation" are used

16  interchangeably in this chapter. The use of the word

17  "profession" in this chapter with respect to any activities

18  regulated under this chapter shall not be deemed to mean that

19  such activities are not occupations for other purposes in

20  state or federal law.

21         (61)  "Pulverization" means the reduction of

22  identifiable bone fragments after the completion of the

23  cremation and processing to granulated particles by manual or

24  mechanical means.

25         (62)  "Refrigeration facility" means a facility that is

26  not physically connected with a funeral establishment,

27  crematory, or direct disposal establishment, that maintains

28  space and equipment for the storage and refrigeration of dead

29  human bodies, and that offers its service to funeral directors

30  and funeral establishments for a fee.

31  


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 1         (63)(31)  "Religious institution" means an organization

 2  formed primarily for religious purposes which has qualified

 3  for exemption from federal income tax as an exempt

 4  organization under the provisions of s. 501(c)(3) of the

 5  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 6         (64)  "Removal service" means any service that operates

 7  independently of a funeral establishment, that handles the

 8  initial removal of dead human bodies, and that offers its

 9  service to funeral establishments and direct disposal

10  establishments for a fee.

11         (65)  "Rules" refers to rules adopted under this

12  chapter unless expressly indicated to the contrary.

13         (66)(32)  "Scattering garden" means a location set

14  aside, within a cemetery, which is used for the spreading or

15  broadcasting of cremated remains that have been removed from

16  their container and can be mixed with or placed on top of the

17  soil or ground cover or buried in an underground receptacle on

18  a commingled basis and that are nonrecoverable. It may or may

19  not include memorialization.

20         (67)(33)  "Servicing agent" means any person acting as

21  an independent contractor whose fiduciary responsibility is to

22  assist both the trustee and licensee certificateholder

23  hereunder in administrating their responsibilities pursuant to

24  this chapter.

25         (68)(34)  "Solicitation" means any communication which

26  directly or implicitly requests an immediate oral response

27  from the recipient.

28         (69)(35)  "Statutory accounting" means generally

29  accepted accounting principles, except as modified by this

30  chapter.

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (70)  "Temporary container" means a receptacle for

 2  cremated remains usually made of cardboard, plastic, or

 3  similar material designated to hold the cremated remains until

 4  an urn or other permanent container is acquired.

 5         (71)  "Urn" means a receptacle designed to permanently

 6  encase cremated remains.

 7         Section 7.  Section 497.101, Florida Statutes, is

 8  amended to read:

 9         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

10         s. 497.101, F.S., for present text.)

11         497.101  Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer

12  Services; membership; appointment; terms.--

13         (1)  The Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer

14  Services is created within the Department of Financial

15  Services and shall consist of 10 members, nine of whom shall

16  be appointed by the Governor from nominations made by the

17  Chief Financial Officer and confirmed by the Senate. The Chief

18  Financial Officer shall nominate three persons for each of the

19  nine vacancies on the board, and the Governor shall fill each

20  vacancy on the board by appointing one of the three persons

21  nominated by the Chief Financial Officer to fill that vacancy.

22  If the Governor objects to each of the three nominations for a

23  vacancy, she or he shall inform the Chief Financial Officer in

24  writing. Upon notification of an objection by the Governor,

25  the Chief Financial Officer shall submit three additional

26  nominations for that vacancy until the vacancy is filled. One

27  member must be the State Health Officer or her or his

28  designee.

29         (2)  Two members of the board must be funeral directors

30  licensed under part III of this chapter who are associated

31  with a funeral establishment. One member of the board must be


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 1  a funeral director licensed under part III of this chapter who

 2  is associated with a funeral establishment licensed under part

 3  III of this chapter which has a valid preneed license issued

 4  pursuant to this chapter and who owns or operates a cinerator

 5  facility approved under chapter 403 and licensed under part VI

 6  of this chapter. Two members of the board must be persons

 7  whose primary occupation is associated with a cemetery company

 8  licensed pursuant to this chapter. Three members of the board

 9  must be consumers who are residents of the state, have never

10  been licensed as funeral directors or embalmers, are not

11  connected with a cemetery or cemetery company licensed

12  pursuant to this chapter, and are not connected with the death

13  care industry or the practice of embalming, funeral directing,

14  or direct disposition. One of the consumer members must be at

15  least 60 years of age, and one must be licensed as a certified

16  public accountant under chapter 473. One member of the board

17  must be a monument dealer licensed under this chapter. One

18  member must be the State Health Officer or her or his

19  designee. There shall not be two or more board members who are

20  directors, employees, partners, shareholders, or members of

21  the same company or partnership or group of companies or

22  partnerships under common control.

23         (3)  Board members shall be appointed for terms of 4

24  years, and the State Health Officer shall serve as long as

25  that person holds that office. The designee of the State

26  Health Officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

27  When the terms of the initial board members expire, the Chief

28  Financial Officer shall stagger the terms of the successor

29  members as follows: one funeral director, one cemetery

30  representative, the monument dealer, and one consumer member

31  shall be appointed for terms of 2 years, and the remaining


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  members shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. All

 2  subsequent terms shall be for 4 years.

 3         (4)  The Governor may suspend and the Senate may remove

 4  any board member for malfeasance or misfeasance, neglect of

 5  duty, incompetence, substantial inability to perform official

 6  duties, commission of a crime, or other substantial cause as

 7  determined by the Governor or Senate, as applicable, to

 8  evidence a lack of fitness to sit on the board. A board member

 9  shall be deemed to have resigned her or his board membership,

10  and that position shall be deemed vacant, upon the failure of

11  the member to attend three consecutive meetings of the board

12  or at least half of the meetings of the board during any

13  12-month period, unless the Chief Financial Officer determines

14  that there was good and adequate justification for the

15  absences and that such absences are not likely to continue.

16         (5)  A current or former board member is exempt from

17  any civil liability for any act or omission when acting in

18  good faith in her or his official capacity, and the Department

19  of Legal Affairs and the Division of Risk Management shall

20  defend such board member in any civil action against such

21  person arising from any such act or omission.

22         (6)  The headquarters and records of the board shall be

23  in the Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services of

24  the Department of Financial Services in the City of

25  Tallahassee. The board may be contacted through the Division

26  of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services of the Department

27  of Financial Services in the City of Tallahassee. The Chief

28  Financial Officer shall annually appoint from among the board

29  members a chair and vice chair of the board. The board shall

30  meet at least every 6 months, and more often as necessary.

31  Special meetings of the board shall be convened upon the


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 1  direction of the Chief Financial Officer. A quorum is

 2  necessary for the conduct of business by the board. Unless

 3  otherwise provided by law, six board members shall constitute

 4  a quorum for the conduct of the board's business.

 5         (7)  A board member shall be compensated $50 for each

 6  day the member attends an official meeting and each day the

 7  member participates at the request of the board's executive

 8  director in any other business involving the board. To the

 9  extent authorized by the s. 112.061, a board member is

10  entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection

11  with official duties. Out-of-state travel by board members on

12  official business shall, in each specific instance, require

13  the advance approval of the board's executive director in

14  order for the travel to be eligible for reimbursement of

15  expenses.

16         Section 8.  Section 497.103, Florida Statutes, is

17  amended to read:

18         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

19         s. 497.103, F.S., for present text.)

20         497.103  Rulemaking authority of board and

21  department.--

22         (1)  BOARD AUTHORITY.--Subject to the provisions of

23  this section, all authority provided under this chapter,

24  including rulemaking authority, relating to the following

25  matters, is vested solely in the board, and the board shall be

26  deemed the licensing authority as to such matters:

27         (a)  Authority to determine any and all criteria for

28  licensure under this chapter as to which this chapter vests

29  discretion in the licensing authority.

30         (b)  Authority to specify who may conduct practical

31  examination under this chapter.


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 1         (c)  Authority to specify the content of examinations

 2  for licensure, both written and practical, and the relative

 3  weighting of areas examined, and grading criteria, and

 4  determination of what constitutes a passing grade.

 5         (d)  Authority to strike any examination question

 6  determined before or after an examination to be inappropriate

 7  for any reason.

 8         (e)  Authority to specify which national examinations

 9  or parts thereof shall or shall not be required or accepted

10  regarding Florida licensure.

11         (f)  Authority to determine time limits and substantive

12  requirements regarding reexamination of applicants who fail

13  any portion of a licensing examination.

14         (g)  Authority to determine substantive requirements

15  and conditions relating to apprenticeships and internships,

16  and temporary licensure pending examination.

17         (h)  Authority to determine substantive requirements

18  for licensure by endorsement.

19         (i)  Authority to specify substantive requirements for

20  reactivation of inactive licenses, such as, but not limited

21  to, requirements for examination or education prior to

22  reactivation.

23         (j)  Authority to approve or deny applications for

24  initial licensure of all types under this chapter and to

25  specify conditions for probationary initial licensure.

26         (k)  Authority to renew or decline to renew licenses

27  issued under this chapter.

28         (l)  Authority to approve or deny applications for

29  change of control or location of any licensee.

30  

31  


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 1         (m)  Authority to determine standards of construction

 2  applicable to facilities utilized by licensees under this

 3  chapter.

 4         (n)  Authority to specify standards of operation

 5  applicable to licensees, including required equipment,

 6  supplies, facilities, and professional techniques and

 7  practices utilized by licensees.

 8         (o)  Authority to specify required access to be

 9  provided by cemeteries to monument establishments licensed

10  under this chapter.

11         (p)  Authority to determine required criteria for and

12  provisions in agreements among licensees regarding the shared

13  use of professional facilities, such as, but not limited to,

14  embalming preparation rooms.

15         (q)  Authority to specify the amount and content of

16  continuing education required of licensees and the

17  acceptability of continuing education by distance learning.

18         (r)  Authority to approve or disapprove providers of

19  continuing education.

20         (s)  Authority to specify the amount and content of

21  safety education courses required by unlicensed staff of

22  licensees.

23         (t)  Authority regarding establishing requirements to

24  maintain complaint logs and complaint records.

25         (u)  Authority to approve or disapprove contract forms,

26  trust instruments, and all other forms required to be filed by

27  licensees for approval under this chapter.

28         (v)  Authority to determine through probable cause

29  panels of the board whether proposed administrative

30  prosecutions of licensees shall go forward.

31  


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 1         (w)  Authority to establish disciplinary guidelines and

 2  to identify violations or categories of violation for which

 3  the department may issue citations under this chapter.

 4         (x)  Authority to determine whether any licensee shall

 5  have her or his license revoked or suspended or be fined or

 6  otherwise sanctioned and to take final action in that regard.

 7         (y)  Authority to determine the validity of and amount

 8  due on claims against the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer

 9  Protection Trust Fund.

10         (z)  Authority to approve or deny applications to

11  utilize any alternative to trust deposits concerning preneed

12  sales.

13         (aa)  Authority to determine the method by which

14  wholesale cost is determined for purposes of determining the

15  amount of the preneed trust deposits required under this

16  chapter.

17         (bb)  Authority to determine the amount of any fee

18  payable under this chapter as to which this chapter provides

19  discretion in setting the amount of the fee.

20         (cc)  Authority to direct the initiation of

21  receivership or other delinquency proceedings against any

22  licensee under this chapter.

23         (2)  DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY.--All authority provided by

24  this chapter and not expressly vested in the board by

25  subsection (1) is vested in the department, and the department

26  shall be deemed to be the licensing authority as to such

27  matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing

28  vesting of authority in the department, the authority provided

29  by this chapter which is vested solely in the department

30  includes:

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (a)  Authority relating to the conduct of

 2  investigations, financial examinations, and inspections,

 3  including, but not limited to:

 4         1.  Determination of applicants, licensees, and other

 5  persons to be investigated, subjected to financial

 6  examination, or inspected.

 7         2.  The frequency, duration, and extent of

 8  investigations, financial examinations, and inspections.

 9         3.  Techniques and procedures utilized in, and staff

10  assigned to, investigations, financial examinations, and

11  inspections.

12         4.  Establishment of requirements binding upon

13  licensees and other persons regarding records and information

14  to be produced or provided, and access to facilities and

15  staff, in regard to investigations, financial examinations,

16  and inspections.

17         5.  Preparation and filing of reports concerning

18  investigations, financial examinations, and inspections.

19         (b)  Authority to receive fees and other amounts

20  payable under this chapter to the licensing authority or to

21  the Regulatory Trust Fund or Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer

22  Protection Trust Fund from licensees, applicants, and others

23  and to process and deposit such receipts in accordance with

24  this chapter and the laws of this state.

25         (c)  Authority to prescribe forms and procedures to be

26  used by applicants or licensees relating to any and all

27  applications, filings, or reports of any type that are made

28  with or submitted to the licensing authority by any person or

29  entity pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited

30  to, applications for licenses of any type under this chapter,

31  applications for renewal of license, applications for approval


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  of forms, applications for approval of change of control,

 2  periodic reports of operations, including format and reporting

 3  period for financial statements, and procedures and provisions

 4  relating to electronic submissions.

 5         (d)  Authority to determine any application or other

 6  filing made under this chapter to be incomplete and not

 7  subject to further processing until made complete.

 8         (e)  Authority to initiate and prosecute administrative

 9  and judicial action, including taking final action, regarding

10  activity by persons and entities not licensed under this

11  chapter engaging in activity the department deems to be in

12  violation of this chapter.

13         (f)  Authority regarding procedures and requirements

14  relating to security of examinations for licensure.

15         (g)  Authority to determine the systems, methods,

16  means, facilities, equipment, procedures, budgets, department

17  staff, and other persons and entities, whether inside or

18  outside the department, to be used in relation to recording,

19  tracking, and processing licensing applications, the

20  administrative issuance and denial of licenses, license

21  renewals, disciplinary actions, continuing education, filings

22  made or required under this chapter, and all other

23  administrative matters relating to the implementation and

24  enforcement of this chapter.

25         (h)  Authority to determine the number, hiring,

26  assignment, and discharge of department staff in relation to

27  implementation of this chapter.

28         (i)  Authority to determine whether any contract or

29  agreement authorized to be entered into by this chapter, on

30  any subject matter, shall be entered into and sole authority

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  to enter into any such other contract or agreement regarding

 2  the implementation of this chapter.

 3         (j)  Subject to the requirements for probable cause

 4  proceedings before a probable cause panel of the board and

 5  subject to the sole authority of the board to take final

 6  action imposing disciplinary sanctions, all authority to

 7  draft, execute, file, serve, and prosecute administrative

 8  complaints and other action against any licensee. However, the

 9  Chief Financial Officer may in particular instances decline to

10  prosecute or to continue to prosecute, in which case the board

11  may request the Department of Legal Affairs to conduct or

12  continue to conduct the prosecution and the Department of

13  Legal Affairs shall be authorized at its discretion to do so.

14         (k)  Authority to seek administrative or judicial

15  enforcement of orders of the board or department or of

16  statutory predecessors to the board or department. However,

17  the Chief Financial Officer may in particular instances

18  decline to seek enforcement or to continue to seek enforcement

19  of any order, in which case the board may request the

20  Department of Legal Affairs to conduct or continue to conduct

21  such enforcement action and the Department of Legal Affairs

22  shall be authorized at its discretion to do so.

23         (l)  The department shall represent the board in any

24  appeal of a board final order. However, the Chief Financial

25  Officer may in particular instances decline to represent the

26  board, in which case the board may request the Department of

27  Legal Affairs to represent the board in the matter and the

28  Department of Legal Affairs shall be authorized at its

29  discretion to do so.

30  

31  


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 1         (m)  Authority to take emergency action against any

 2  licensee under this chapter without prior consultation with

 3  the board.

 4         (n)  Authority to develop and submit to the Legislature

 5  from time to time budgets for the implementation of this

 6  chapter.

 7         (o)  The department shall have the authority and duty

 8  to provide necessary administrative support to the board as

 9  reasonably required to allow the board to discharge its

10  responsibilities under this chapter.

11         (3)  RECOMMENDATIONS BY DEPARTMENT STAFF.--The board

12  shall carefully review and give substantial weight to any

13  recommendation of department staff concerning any matter

14  coming before the board and upon request of department staff

15  shall state with specificity on the record at the board

16  meeting where the rejection occurs the reason or reasons why

17  the board has rejected a particular recommendation of the

18  department staff.

19         (4)  RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.--

20         (a)  As to any matter falling within the board's

21  authority, if the Chief Financial Officer submits or causes to

22  be submitted to the board at any board meeting any

23  recommendation signed by the Chief Financial Officer, the

24  Chief Financial Officer's recommendation shall be adopted by

25  the board and the board shall act and be deemed to act in

26  accordance with such recommendation, unless at such meeting 70

27  percent of the board members present and voting vote to reject

28  the Chief Financial Officer's recommendation. Any fractional

29  vote resulting from application of the 70-percent requirement

30  shall be rounded upward and counted as one additional vote in

31  determining how many votes are required to reject the Chief


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  Financial Officer's recommendation. The Chief Financial

 2  Officer's recommendation to the board shall be in regard to

 3  one or more of the following matters:

 4         1.  Protecting the public from any significant and

 5  discernible harm or damage.

 6         2.  Preventing the unreasonable restriction of

 7  competition or the availability of professional services in

 8  the state or in a significant part of the state.

 9         3.  Preventing the unnecessary increase in cost of

10  professional services without a corresponding or equivalent

11  public benefit.

12         (b)  If the recommendation of department staff to the

13  board as to any matter shall be rejected or otherwise

14  overridden by the board to any degree, the board's action in

15  the matter shall not be final until 14 days have elapsed after

16  the board rejected or overrode the recommendation of

17  department staff, and if during such 14-day period the Chief

18  Financial Officer submits a recommendation concerning the

19  matter to the board pursuant to paragraph (a), until the

20  effect of such recommendation is determined in accordance with

21  paragraph (a). The running of the period under s. 120.60 for

22  approving or denying a completed application shall be tolled

23  during such 14-day period.

24         (c)  If the Chief Financial Officer makes any

25  recommendation pursuant to this subsection concerning approval

26  or denial of an application for license or otherwise under

27  this chapter, the running of the period under s. 120.60 for

28  approving or denying a completed application shall be tolled

29  from the date of the Chief Financial Officer's recommendation

30  is made for the shorter of 90 days or until the effect of such

31  recommendation is determined in accordance with paragraph (a).


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 1         (d)  If any recommendation by the Chief Financial

 2  Officer made under this subsection would require initiation of

 3  rulemaking proceedings under chapter 120 as a prerequisite to

 4  implementation of such recommendation by the board and such

 5  recommendation becomes binding on the board pursuant to this

 6  subsection, the board shall promptly and in good faith

 7  initiate and conduct such rulemaking proceedings or may in

 8  regard to the promulgation of the specific rule in issue

 9  delegate to the department the board's rulemaking authority

10  under this chapter, in which case the department shall be

11  authorized to adopt the rule.

12         (5)  RULEMAKING.--

13         (a)  The board is authorized to adopt all rules

14  authorized under this chapter regarding matters under the

15  board's authority.

16         (b)  The department is authorized to adopt all rules

17  authorized under this chapter regarding matters which fall

18  under the department's authority or as to which the board has

19  delegated rulemaking authority to the department.

20         (c)  Neither the board nor the department shall

21  initiate rulemaking under their respective rulemaking

22  authority under this chapter unless they have provided each

23  other at least 60 days' advance notice of their intent to

24  initiate rulemaking proceedings and during that 60-day period

25  have conferred and consulted with each other concerning the

26  purpose and intent of the rulemaking. However, the 60-day

27  advance notice requirement does not apply to the promulgation

28  of emergency rules.

29         (6)  FINAL ORDERS.--

30         (a)  The board shall have authority to take final

31  action and issue final orders as to all matters under its


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  authority. The chairperson of the board shall be authorized to

 2  sign orders of the board and may delegate such authority to

 3  the executive director of the board.

 4         (b)  The department shall have authority to take final

 5  action and issue final orders as to all matters under its

 6  authority.

 7         (7)  ACTIONS BY BOARD AND DEPARTMENT.--

 8         (a)  The department and the board shall each have

 9  standing to institute judicial or other proceedings against

10  the other for the enforcement of this section.

11         (b)  The board shall have standing as a party litigant

12  to challenge any rule proposed or adopted by the department

13  under authority of this chapter, upon any grounds enumerated

14  in s. 120.52(8).

15         (c)  The board shall be represented by the Department

16  of Legal Affairs in any litigation by the board against the

17  department authorized by this subsection, and the Department

18  of Financial Services shall provide reasonable funds for the

19  conduct of such litigation by the board.

20         (d)  No applicant, licensee, or person other than the

21  board shall have standing in any proceeding under chapter 120

22  to assert that any rule adopted by the department under

23  asserted authority of this chapter is invalid because it

24  relates to a matter under the board's authority.

25         Section 9.  Section 497.107, Florida Statutes, is

26  amended to read:

27         497.107  Headquarters.--The Board of Funeral, and

28  Cemetery, and Consumer Services may be contacted through

29  division at the headquarters of the department in the City of

30  Tallahassee.

31  


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 1         Section 10.  Section 497.525, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.140, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

 5         s. 497.525, F.S., for present text.)

 6         497.140  Fees.--

 7         (1)(a)  As to any fee payable under this chapter as to

 8  which discretion is provided to the licensing authority to

 9  specify the amount of the fee subject to a cap stated in this

10  chapter, the board shall from time to time as requested by the

11  department determine by rule the amount of such fee, based

12  upon department-prepared estimates of the revenue required to

13  implement all provisions of this chapter.

14         (b)  It is the legislative intent that the costs of

15  regulation under this chapter be provided for by fees

16  collected under this chapter. The board shall ensure that fees

17  are adequate to cover all anticipated costs of implementation

18  of this chapter. The department shall at least every other

19  year provide the board with estimates as to projected costs in

20  implementing this chapter and projected fee collections under

21  this chapter for the following 2 years, information as to

22  balances of regulatory trusts from fees collected, other

23  information which the department deems material to the setting

24  of fees by the board at proper levels, and a department

25  recommendation as to action, if any, regarding changing fee

26  levels. The board shall review such information provided by

27  the department and make such changes in fees, up or down, as

28  the board determines appropriate. If sufficient action is not

29  taken by the board within 1 year after notification by the

30  department that fees are projected to be inadequate, the

31  


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 1  department shall set fees on behalf of the board to cover

 2  anticipated costs.

 3         (c)  The board may from time to time by rule assess and

 4  collect a one-time fee from each active and each voluntary

 5  inactive licensee under this chapter in an amount necessary to

 6  correct an inadequacy of fees received to implement regulation

 7  required by this chapter, provided that no more than one such

 8  assessment may be made in any 4-year period without specific

 9  legislative authorization.

10         (2)  All moneys collected under this chapter shall be

11  paid into the Regulatory Trust Fund, except as otherwise

12  expressly provided in this chapter, for the purpose of

13  providing for the payment of all expenses in respect to the

14  administration of this chapter.

15         (3)  The department, in consultation with the board,

16  shall from time to time recommended fee and fee cap increases

17  to the Legislature as deemed advisable.

18         (4)  If a duplicate license is required or requested by

19  the licensee, the department may charge a fee as determined by

20  rule not to exceed $25 before issuance of the duplicate

21  license.

22         (5)  The department shall charge a fee not to exceed

23  $25 for the certification of a public record. The fee shall be

24  determined by rule of the department. The department shall

25  assess a fee for duplication of a public record as provided in

26  s. 119.07(1)(a) and (b).

27         (6)(a)  The department shall impose, upon initial

28  licensure and each renewal thereof, a special unlicensed

29  activity fee of $5 per licensee, in addition to all other fees

30  provided for in this chapter. Such fee shall be used by the

31  department to fund efforts to identify and combat unlicensed


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  activity which violates this chapter. Such fee shall be in

 2  addition to all other fees collected from each licensee and

 3  shall be deposited in a separate account of the Regulatory

 4  Trust Fund; however, the department is not limited to the

 5  funds in such an account for combating improper unlicensed

 6  activity in violation of this chapter.

 7         (b)  The board may with the concurrence of the

 8  department, if that portion of the Regulatory Trust Fund held

 9  by the department for implementation of this chapter is not in

10  deficit and has a reasonable cash balance, earmark $5 of each

11  initial licensure and each license renewal fee collected under

12  this chapter and direct the deposit of each such amount into

13  the separate account required in paragraph (a), to be utilized

14  by the department for the purposes of combating unlicensed

15  practice in violation of this chapter. Such earmarked amount

16  may be, as the board directs, in lieu of or in addition to the

17  special unlicensed activity fee imposed under paragraph (a).

18  The  earmarking may be imposed and thereafter eliminated from

19  time to time according the adequacy of trust funds held for

20  implementation of this chapter.

21         (c)  The department shall confer and consult with the

22  board regarding enforcement methods and strategies regarding

23  the use of such unlicensed activity fee funds.

24         (7)  Any fee required to be paid under this chapter,

25  which was set at a fixed amount as the 2004 edition of the

26  Florida Statutes, but as to which this chapter now provides to

27  be a fee as determined by board rule subject to a cap

28  specified in this chapter, shall remain at the amount as set

29  in the 2004 edition of the Florida Statutes unless and until

30  the board shall change such fee by rule.

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         Section 11.  Section 497.141, Florida Statutes, is

 2  created to read:

 3         497.141  Licensing; general application procedures.--

 4         (1)  The provisions of this section shall supplement

 5  and implement all provisions of this chapter relating to

 6  application for licensure.

 7         (2)  Any person desiring to be licensed shall apply to

 8  the licensing authority in writing using such forms and

 9  procedures as may be prescribed by rule. The application for

10  licensure shall include the applicant's social security

11  number. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the

12  department is the sole authority for determining the forms and

13  form contents to be submitted for initial licensure and

14  licensure renewal application. Such forms and the information

15  and materials required by such forms may include, as

16  appropriate, demographics, education, work history, personal

17  background, criminal history, finances, business information,

18  signature notarization, performance periods, reciprocity,

19  local government approvals, supporting documentation, periodic

20  reporting requirements, fingerprint requirements, continuing

21  education requirements, business plans, character references,

22  and ongoing education monitoring. Such forms and the

23  information and materials required by such forms may also

24  include, to the extent such information or materials are not

25  already in the possession of the department or the board,

26  records or information as to complaints, inspections,

27  investigations, discipline, bonding, and photographs. The

28  application shall be supplemented as needed to reflect any

29  material change in any circumstance or condition stated in the

30  application which takes place between the initial filing of

31  the application and the final grant or denial of the license


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 1  and which might affect the decision of the department or the

 2  board.

 3         (3)  The department shall conduct such investigation of

 4  the applicant and the application as the department deems

 5  necessary or advisable to establish the correctness of matters

 6  stated in the application and to determine whether the

 7  applicable licensing criteria are met and shall make

 8  recommendations in those regards to the board.

 9         (4)  Before the issuance of any license, the department

10  shall collect such initial fee as specified by this chapter

11  or, where authorized, by rule of the board. Upon receipt of a

12  completed application and the appropriate fee, and

13  certification by the board that the applicant meets the

14  applicable requirements of law and rules, the department shall

15  issue the license applied for. However, an applicant who is

16  not otherwise qualified for licensure is not entitled to

17  licensure solely based on a passing score on a required

18  examination.

19         (5)  The board may refuse to rule on an initial

20  application for licensure by any applicant who is under

21  investigation or prosecution in any jurisdiction for an action

22  which there is reasonable cause to believe would constitute a

23  violation of this chapter if committed in this state, until

24  such time as such investigation or prosecution is completed

25  and the results of the investigation or prosecution are

26  reviewed by the board.

27         (6)  When any administrative law judge conducts a

28  hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120 with respect

29  to the issuance or denial of a license under this chapter, the

30  administrative law judge shall submit her or his recommended

31  order to the board, which shall thereupon issue a final order.


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 1  The applicant for a license may appeal the final order in

 2  accordance with the provisions of chapter 120.

 3         (7)  A privilege against civil liability is hereby

 4  granted to any witness for any information furnished by the

 5  witness in any proceeding pursuant to this section, unless the

 6  witness acted in bad faith or with malice in providing such

 7  information.

 8         (8)  Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility

 9  and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each

10  applicant for licensure is required to provide her or his

11  social security number in accordance with this section.

12  Disclosure of social security numbers obtained through this

13  requirement shall be limited to the purpose of administration

14  of the Title IV-D program for child support enforcement and

15  use by the department and as otherwise provided by law.

16         (9)  Whenever any provision of this chapter or rules

17  adopted under this chapter require student completion of a

18  specific number of clock hours of classroom instruction for

19  initial licensure purposes, there shall be established by rule

20  the minimal competencies that such students must demonstrate

21  in order to be licensed. The demonstration of such

22  competencies may be substituted for specific classroom

23  clock-hour requirements established in statute or rule which

24  are related to instructional programs for licensure purposes.

25  Student demonstration of the established minimum competencies

26  shall be certified by the educational institution. The

27  provisions of this subsection shall not apply if federal

28  licensure standards are more restrictive or stringent than the

29  standards prescribed in this chapter.

30  

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (10)  No license issued under this chapter shall be

 2  assignable or transferable except to the extent specifically

 3  provided by this chapter.

 4         (11)  The department shall implement a system for

 5  administration of the overall licensing process, including the

 6  processing and tracking of applications for licensure, the

 7  issuance of licenses approved by the board, the tracking of

 8  licenses issued, the administration of the license renewal

 9  process, and the collection and processing of fees related to

10  those activities. The system may use staff and facilities of

11  the department or the department may enter into a contract for

12  all or any part of such system, upon such terms and conditions

13  as the department deems advisable, and such contract may be

14  with another government agency or a private business.

15         Section 12.  Section 497.142, Florida Statutes, is

16  created to read:

17         497.142  Licensing; fingerprinting and criminal

18  background checks.--

19         (1)  In any instance that this chapter requires

20  submission of fingerprints in connection with an application

21  for license, the provisions of this section shall apply.

22         (2)  The fingerprints must be taken by a law

23  enforcement agency or other agency or entity approved by the

24  department and in such a way as to allow their use to obtain a

25  criminal history check through the Department of Law

26  Enforcement.

27         (3)  The department shall submit the fingerprints to or

28  cause them to be submitted to the Department of Law

29  Enforcement for the purpose of ascertaining whether the person

30  fingerprinted has a criminal history in any state or before

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  the Federal Government and, if so, the nature of the criminal

 2  history.

 3         (4)  The Department of Law Enforcement may accept

 4  fingerprints of any applicant under this chapter, any

 5  principal of any such applicant, and any other person who is

 6  examined or investigated or who is subject to examination or

 7  investigation under the provisions of this chapter.

 8         (5)  The Department of Law Enforcement may, to the

 9  extent provided for by federal law, exchange state,

10  multistate, and federal criminal history records with the

11  department and the board for the purpose of the issuance,

12  denial, suspension, or revocation of any license or other

13  application under this chapter.

14         (6)  The Department of Law Enforcement may accept

15  fingerprints of any other person required by statute or rule

16  to submit fingerprints to the department or board or any

17  applicant or licensee regulated by the department or board who

18  is required to demonstrate that she or he has not been

19  convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or

20  a misdemeanor.

21         (7)  The Department of Law Enforcement shall, upon

22  receipt of fingerprints from the department, submit the

23  fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to check

24  federal criminal history records.

25         (8)  Statewide criminal records obtained through the

26  Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records

27  obtained through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and

28  local criminal records obtained through local law enforcement

29  agencies shall be used by the department and board for the

30  purpose of issuance, denial, suspension, or revocation of

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  certificates of authority, certifications, or licenses issued

 2  to operate in this state.

 3         (9)  For the purposes of criminal background checks,

 4  applicants and principals of applicants for any approval or

 5  license under this chapter may be required to disclose whether

 6  they have ever had their name legally changed and any prior

 7  name or names they have used.

 8         (10)  If any applicant under this chapter has been,

 9  within the 10 years preceding the application under this

10  chapter, convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of

11  nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in

12  any jurisdiction, the application shall not be deemed complete

13  until such time as the applicant provides such certified true

14  copies of the court records evidencing the conviction,

15  finding, or plea, as the licensing authority may by rule

16  require.

17         Section 13.  Section 497.143, Florida Statutes, is

18  created to read:

19         497.143  Licensing; limited licenses for retired

20  professionals.--

21         (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that, absent a

22  threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the

23  use of retired professionals in good standing to serve the

24  indigent, underserved, or critical need populations of this

25  state should be encouraged. To that end, rules may be adopted

26  to permit practice by retired professionals as limited

27  licensees under this section.

28         (2)  Any person desiring to obtain a limited license,

29  when permitted by rule, shall submit to the department an

30  application and fee, not to exceed $300, and an affidavit

31  stating that the applicant has been licensed to practice in


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  any jurisdiction in the United States for at least 10 years in

 2  the profession for which the applicant seeks a limited

 3  license. The affidavit shall also state that the applicant has

 4  retired or intends to retire from the practice of that

 5  profession and intends to practice only pursuant to the

 6  restrictions of the limited license granted pursuant to this

 7  section. If the applicant for a limited license submits a

 8  notarized statement from the employer stating that the

 9  applicant will not receive monetary compensation for any

10  service involving the practice of her or his profession, the

11  application and all licensure fees shall be waived.

12         (3)  Limited licensure may be denied to an applicant

13  who has committed, or is under investigation or prosecution

14  for, any act which would constitute the basis for discipline

15  under this chapter.

16         (4)  The recipient of a limited license may practice

17  only in the employ of public agencies or institutions or

18  nonprofit agencies or institutions which meet the requirements

19  of 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and which

20  provide professional liability coverage for acts or omissions

21  of the limited licensee. A limited licensee may provide

22  services only to the indigent, underserved, or critical need

23  populations within the state. The standard for determining

24  indigency shall be that recognized by the Federal Poverty

25  Income Guidelines produced by the United States Department of

26  Health and Human Services. Rules may be adopted to define

27  underserved and critical need areas and to ensure

28  implementation of this section.

29         (5)  The department may provide by rule for supervision

30  of limited licensees to protect the health, safety, and

31  welfare of the public.


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (6)  Each applicant granted a limited license is

 2  subject to all the provisions of this chapter under which the

 3  limited license is issued which are not in conflict with this

 4  section.

 5         Section 14.  Section 497.144, Florida Statutes, is

 6  created to read:

 7         497.144  Licensing; examinations, general provisions.--

 8         (1)  The department shall, with the approval of the

 9  board, provide, contract, or approve services for the

10  development, preparation, administration, scoring, score

11  reporting, and evaluation of all examinations and may use

12  professional testing services for the development,

13  preparation, and evaluation of examinations, when such

14  services are available. The department may contract with the

15  Department of Business and Professional Regulation for any

16  examination services.

17         (2)  After an examination has been administered, the

18  board may reject any question that does not reliably measure

19  the required competency.

20         (3)  For each examination there shall by rule be

21  specified the general areas of competency to be covered by the

22  examination, the relative weight to be assigned in grading

23  each area tested, the score necessary to achieve a passing

24  grade, and the fees, where applicable, to cover the actual

25  cost for any purchase, development, and administration of the

26  required examination. However, statutory fee caps shall apply.

27  This subsection does not apply to national examinations

28  approved and administered pursuant to subsection (5).

29         (4)  If a practical examination is utilized, rules

30  shall specify the criteria by which examiners are to be

31  selected, the grading criteria to be used by the examiner, the


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  relative weight to be assigned in grading each criterion, and

 2  the score necessary to achieve a passing grade. Procedures for

 3  practical examinations shall be specified by rule. Board

 4  members may serve as examiners at a practical examination with

 5  the consent of the board.

 6         (5)  The board may approve the use of any national

 7  examination. Providers of examinations may be either profit or

 8  nonprofit entities. The name and number of a candidate may be

 9  provided to a national contractor for the limited purpose of

10  preparing the grade tape and information to be returned to the

11  department or, to the extent otherwise specified by rule, the

12  candidate may apply directly to the vendor of the national

13  examination. The department may delegate to the board the duty

14  to provide and administer the examination.

15         (6)  Rules may be adopted establishing procedures and

16  requirements for the security and monitoring of examinations.

17  In order to maintain the security of examinations, the

18  department may seek fines and injunctive relief in the courts

19  of this state against an examinee who violates applicable

20  security rules. The department, or any agent thereof, may, for

21  the purposes of investigation, confiscate any written,

22  photographic, or recording material or device in the

23  possession of the examinee at the examination site which the

24  department deems necessary to enforce the security of

25  examinations.

26         (7)  The department may, with the approval of the board

27  and for a fee, share with any other state's licensing

28  authority an examination developed by or for the board unless

29  prohibited by a contract entered into by the department for

30  development or purchase of the examination. The department

31  shall establish guidelines that ensure security of a shared


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  examination and shall require that any other state's licensing

 2  authority comply with those guidelines.

 3         (8)  If both a written and a practical examination are

 4  given, an applicant shall be required to retake only the

 5  portion of the examination for which she or he failed to

 6  achieve a passing grade, if she or he successfully passes that

 7  portion within a reasonable time of her or his passing the

 8  other portion. Rules may be adopted establishing procedures

 9  and reasonable times for retaking failed portions of any

10  examination.

11         (9)  Except for national examinations approved and

12  administered pursuant to this section, procedures shall be

13  established by rule for applicants who have taken and failed a

14  written examination to review their examination questions,

15  answers, papers, grades, and grading key for the questions the

16  candidate answered incorrectly or, if not feasible, the parts

17  of the examination failed. Applicants shall bear the actual

18  cost for the department to provide examination review pursuant

19  to this subsection. An applicant may waive in writing the

20  confidentiality of her or his examination grades. Rules may be

21  adopted establishing procedures for such reviews.

22         (10)  For each examination administered under this

23  chapter, an accurate record of each applicant's examination

24  questions, answers, papers, grades, and grading key shall be

25  kept for a period of not less than 2 years immediately

26  following the examination, and such record shall thereafter be

27  maintained or destroyed as provided in chapters 119 and 257.

28  This subsection does not apply to national examinations

29  approved and administered pursuant to this section.

30         (11)  In addition to meeting any other requirements for

31  licensure by examination or by endorsement, an applicant may


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 1  be required by the board to pass an examination pertaining to

 2  state laws and rules applicable to the practice of the

 3  profession regulated under this chapter.

 4         (12)  Examinations and reexaminations for any license

 5  under this chapter shall be administered in the English

 6  language unless 15 or more applicants request that the

 7  examination or reexamination be administered in their native

 8  language. Such requests must be received at least 6 months

 9  prior to the examination or reexamination. In the event that

10  such examination or reexamination is administered in a foreign

11  language, the full cost to the board and department of

12  preparing and administering the examination shall be borne by

13  the applicants. Where the taking of a national examination is

14  required by this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter,

15  the examination may not be required to be given in any

16  language other than English unless the national examination is

17  available in the requested language. Rules may be adopted

18  establishing procedures for requesting examinations in

19  languages other than English and establishing the costs

20  related to such examinations.

21         (13)  Unless an applicant notifies the department at

22  least 5 days prior to an examination hearing of the

23  applicant's inability to attend or unless an applicant can

24  demonstrate an extreme emergency for failing to attend, the

25  department may require an applicant who fails to attend to pay

26  reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and court costs of the

27  department for the examination hearing.

28         Section 15.  Section 497.145, Florida Statutes, is

29  created to read:

30         497.145  Licensing; use of professional testing

31  services.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the


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 1  contrary, the department may use a professional testing

 2  service to prepare, administer, grade, and evaluate any

 3  computerized examination, when that service is available and

 4  approved by the board.

 5         Section 16.  Section 497.146, Florida Statutes, is

 6  created to read:

 7         497.146  Licensing; address of record; changes;

 8  licensee responsibility.--Each licensee under this chapter is

 9  responsible for notifying the department in writing of the

10  licensee's current business and residence mailing address and

11  the street address of the licensee's primary place of practice

12  and shall notify the department in writing within 30 days

13  after any change in such information, in accordance with

14  procedures and forms prescribed by rule. Notwithstanding any

15  other provision of law, service by regular mail to a

16  licensee's last known address of record with the department

17  constitutes adequate and sufficient notice to the licensee for

18  any official communication to the licensee by the board or the

19  department, except when other service is expressly required by

20  this chapter. Rules may be adopted establishing forms and

21  procedures for licensees to provide the notice required by

22  this section.

23         Section 17.  Section 497.147, Florida Statutes, is

24  created to read:

25         497.147  Continuing education; general provisions.--

26         (1)  As to any licensure under this chapter that

27  requires prelicensure training or continuing education for

28  renewal of a license, no such training or continuing education

29  shall be accepted in satisfaction of the requirements of this

30  chapter, unless approved by the board.

31  


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 1         (2)  There shall be adopted rules by the board to

 2  establish the criteria for such training or continuing

 3  education courses.

 4         (3)  The licensing authority may provide by rule that

 5  distance learning may be used to satisfy continuing education

 6  requirements and may specify conditions applicable to such

 7  distance learning for credit under this chapter.

 8         (4)  The licensing authority is authorized to adopt

 9  rules to implement requirements regarding prelicensure

10  training and continuing education requirements under this

11  chapter. Persons providing prelicensure training or continuing

12  education for credit against the requirements of this chapter

13  are hereinafter referred to as "providers."

14         (a)  The rules may establish criteria for obtaining

15  approval from the licensing authority as a provider, and for

16  periodic renewal of such approval, and may establish

17  procedures and forms for use in applying to obtain and renew

18  such approval from the licensing authority.

19         (b)  The rules may establish conditions and

20  requirements applicable to providers, including, but not

21  limited to:

22         1.  Periodic submission by the provider to the

23  licensing authority of information and documentation as to

24  course materials, class locations and schedules, names of

25  scheduled instructors, resumes of instructors, and

26  descriptions of facilities.

27         2.  Requirements for periodic reporting by the provider

28  to the licensing authority of information concerning

29  enrollment, attendance, and status of persons enrolled for

30  credit under this chapter.

31  


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 1         3.  Requirements for inspection by the licensing

 2  authority of records of the provider related to training or

 3  continuing education of applicants and licensees under this

 4  chapter.

 5         4.  Requirements for announced or unannounced

 6  attendance by department staff or board members at scheduled

 7  classes or training, for the purpose of ensuring that the

 8  training meets the requirements of this chapter and rules

 9  adopted under this chapter.

10         5.  Requirements for written contracts or agreements

11  required to be entered into by providers with the licensing

12  authority as a prerequisite to acceptance of training or

13  continuing education provided by such provider for credit

14  under this chapter.

15         6.  Requirements regarding retention of records by the

16  provider regarding training or continuing education for which

17  credit has been given to any licensee under this chapter.

18         7.  Procedures and criteria for terminating the status

19  of any provider as an approved source of training or

20  continuing education for credit under this chapter.

21         8.  Requirements for fees to accompany applications

22  from providers for approval or renewal of approval as a

23  provider, not to exceed $250 per year. The rules may exempt

24  nonprofit entities from such fees.

25         (c)  The rules may list all approved providers and

26  identify the training or continuing education each provider is

27  approved to provide for credit under this chapter.

28         (d)  Such rules may establish procedures and forms for

29  use by applicants, licensees, and providers in reporting

30  completed training and continuing education to the licensing

31  authority.


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 1         (5)  The board may by rule provide up to 5 hours of

 2  continuing education credit per continuing education reporting

 3  period for licensees attending board meetings or selected

 4  types or portions of board meetings, as specified by such

 5  rules. The rules may limit the number of times such credit may

 6  be utilized by a licensee. The rules may include provisions as

 7  to the minimum amount of time that must be spent in the board

 8  meeting room viewing proceedings, which may be more than 5

 9  hours of attendance, requirements for advance notice by

10  licensees to department staff of proposed attendance,

11  requirements to sign in and out of the meeting room on lists

12  maintained at the meeting site by department staff, forms that

13  must be completed by the licensee to obtain such credit, and

14  such other requirements deemed by the board to be advisable or

15  necessary to prevent abuse of such rules and to ensure that

16  useful information is obtained by licensees as a result of

17  attendance. Procedural requirements of such rules requiring

18  action by the department shall be subject to approval by the

19  department prior to promulgation.

20         Section 18.  Section 497.148, Florida Statutes, is

21  created to read:

22         497.148  Continuing education; monitoring of

23  compliance.--The department shall establish a system to

24  monitor licensee compliance with applicable trainings and

25  continuing education requirements and to determine each

26  licensee's continuing education status. The department is

27  authorized to provide for a phase-in of the compliance

28  monitoring system. The compliance monitoring system may use

29  staff and facilities of the department, or the department may

30  enter into a contract for compliance monitoring services, upon

31  such terms and conditions as the department deems advisable.


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 1  Such contract may be with another government agency or a

 2  private business.

 3         Section 19.  Section 497.149, Florida Statutes, is

 4  created to read:

 5         497.149  Investigations, hearings, and inspections.--

 6         (1)  INVESTIGATIONS.--Investigations shall be conducted

 7  by the department. The following provisions shall apply

 8  concerning investigations:

 9         (a)  There shall be investigated all complaints

10  directly or indirectly alleging violation of any provision of

11  this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

12  Investigations may be conducted regarding any applicant for

13  licensure under this chapter to ensure that the applicant

14  satisfies the requirements for licensure and to ensure the

15  accuracy and truthfulness of any matters represented to the

16  department or the board in connection with the application.

17  There may be such investigations of persons and entities not

18  licensed under this chapter to determine if they are engaging

19  in activities for which a license under this chapter is

20  required, or are otherwise in violation of this chapter, as is

21  deemed necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter. There

22  may be conducted such other investigations, in addition to

23  investigations expressly authorized or required by this

24  chapter, as are deemed necessary or advisable by the

25  department to determine whether any person is, has, or may

26  violate any provision of this chapter or to secure information

27  useful in the lawful administration of this chapter.

28         (b)  Every person and entity being investigated, and

29  its officers, attorneys, unless it violates the

30  attorney-client privilege, employees, agents, and

31  representatives, shall make freely available to the department


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 1  the accounts, records, documents, files, information, assets,

 2  business premises, and matters in their possession or control

 3  relating to the subject of the investigation. If records

 4  relating to a licensee or to activities regulated by this

 5  chapter are maintained by an agent on premises owned or

 6  operated by a third party, the agent and the third party shall

 7  provide the department access to the records.

 8         (c)  If the department finds any accounts or records of

 9  a licensee required by this chapter to be created and

10  maintained by the licensee to be inadequate or inadequately

11  kept or posted, it may employ experts to reconstruct, rewrite,

12  post, or balance them at the expense of the person being

13  investigated, provided the person has failed to maintain,

14  complete, or correct such records or accounting after the

15  department has given her or him notice and a reasonable

16  opportunity to do so.

17         (d)  In connection with any investigation under this

18  chapter, the department may administer oaths, examine

19  witnesses, and receive oral and documentary evidence, require

20  the licensee to answer under oath interrogatories propounded

21  by the department, issue a subpoena for testimony or the

22  production of records to any person believed to have

23  information or materials relevant to the subject matter of the

24  investigation, and compel such attendance and testimony and

25  the production of such materials for inspection and copying.

26  If any person refuses to comply with any such subpoena or to

27  testify as to any matter concerning which she or he may be

28  lawfully interrogated, the Circuit Court of Leon County or of

29  the county wherein such examination, investigation, or hearing

30  is being conducted, or of the county wherein such person

31  resides, may, on the application of the department, issue an


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 1  order requiring such person to comply with the subpoena and to

 2  testify. Subpoenas may be served, and proof of such service

 3  made, by any employee of the department.

 4         (e)  The department may retain and pay such experts on

 5  a case-by-case basis, as it deems necessary for the

 6  investigation and prosecution, if any, of any alleged

 7  violation of this chapter.

 8         (2)  INSPECTIONS.--The department may conduct such

 9  inspections of licensee's premises and records during normal

10  business hours, at such intervals, as the department deems

11  necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter.

12         (a)  Inspections may be announced or unannounced as the

13  department determines appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

14         (b)  Every licensee being inspected, and its employees,

15  officers, attorneys, unless it violates the attorney-client

16  privilege, employees, agents, and representatives, shall

17  freely and immediately make available to the department for

18  inspection during normal business hours the licensee's entire

19  premises and the records and information in their possession

20  or control relating to the inspection.

21         (c)  The department may adopt rules regarding

22  inspection procedures.

23         (3)  HEARINGS.--The department may hold public hearings

24  to secure information useful in the lawful administration of

25  this chapter. The department may require the attendance of

26  witnesses by subpoena and the giving of testimony under oath.

27         (4)  RULES.--The department may adopt rules pursuant to

28  ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 for the implementation of this

29  section.

30         Section 20.  Section 497.150, Florida Statutes, is

31  created to read:


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 1         497.150  Compliance examinations of existing

 2  licensees.--

 3         (1)  There may be examined by the department the

 4  facilities, records, operations, trust accounts, and financial

 5  affairs of licensees under this chapter, as often as may be

 6  deemed necessary by the department, to ensure compliance with

 7  the provisions of this chapter and rules adopted under this

 8  chapter. The provisions of this section shall apply to

 9  examinations conducted by the department under this chapter.

10         (2)  The examination may, as deemed necessary by the

11  department, include examination of the affairs, transactions,

12  accounts, and records of the licensee's agents and controlling

13  or controlled person, relating directly or indirectly to the

14  licensee.

15         (3)  The examination may be conducted at the offices,

16  wherever located, of the person being examined or investigated

17  and at such other places as may be required for determination

18  of matters under examination.

19         (4)  Every person being examined, and its officers,

20  attorneys, unless it violates the attorney-client privilege,

21  employees, agents, and representatives, shall make freely

22  available the accounts, records, documents, files,

23  information, assets, and matters in their possession or

24  control relating to the subject of the examination.

25         (5)  The licensee shall provide for the department

26  examiner's use during the examination such suitable private

27  office work location and facilities, including desk, chair,

28  and adequate lighting and ventilation, as are reasonably

29  available on the licensee's premises.

30         (6)  If the department finds any accounts or records

31  required to be made or maintained by a licensee under this


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 1  chapter to be inadequate or inadequately kept or posted, it

 2  may be employ experts to reconstruct, rewrite, post, or

 3  balance them at the expense of the person being examined,

 4  provided the person has failed to maintain, complete, or

 5  correct such records or accounting after the department has

 6  given her or him notice and a reasonable opportunity to do so.

 7         (7)  In connection with any examination under this

 8  chapter, the department may administer oaths, examine

 9  witnesses, and receive oral and documentary evidence, require

10  the licensee to answer under oath interrogatories propounded

11  by the department, issue a subpoena for testimony or the

12  production of records to any person believed to have

13  information or materials relevant to the subject matter of the

14  examination, and compel such attendance and testimony and the

15  production of such materials for inspection and copying. If

16  any person refuses to comply with any such subpoena or to

17  testify as to any matter concerning which she or he may be

18  lawfully interrogated, the Circuit Court of Leon County or of

19  the county wherein such examination, investigation, or hearing

20  is being conducted, or of the county wherein such person

21  resides, may, on the application of the department, issue an

22  order requiring such person to comply with the subpoena and to

23  testify. Subpoenas may be served, and proof of such service

24  made, by any employee of the department.

25         (8)  The department shall furnish a copy of any

26  examination report to the licensee examined within a

27  reasonable period of time, and the licensee shall have 30 days

28  thereafter in which to prepare and provide the department a

29  response to the examination report. No examination report

30  shall be filed by the department until such 30-day period has

31  elapsed. If the licensee provides a written response to the


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 1  department within such 30-day period, the response shall be

 2  attached to and made a part of the report as filed in the

 3  department's files.

 4         (9)  The examination report when so filed shall

 5  thereafter be admissible in evidence in any judicial or

 6  administrative action or proceeding brought by the department

 7  against the person examined, or against its officers,

 8  employees, or agents, or for the enforcement of an

 9  investigative subpoena issued by the department in any

10  investigation of, involving, or relating to the person

11  examined. In all other proceedings, the admissibility of the

12  examination report is governed by the evidence code. The

13  department or its examiners may at any time testify and offer

14  other proper evidence as to information secured or matters

15  discovered during the course of an examination, whether or not

16  a written report of the examination has been made, furnished,

17  or filed in the department.

18         (10)  The written report of each preneed examination,

19  when completed, shall be filed in the office of the board and,

20  when so filed, shall constitute a public record.

21         (11)  The person or organization examined shall pay the

22  travel expense and per diem subsistence allowance provided for

23  state employees under s. 112.061 for out-of-state travel

24  incurred by department representatives or examiners in

25  connection with an examination.

26         (12)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to ss.

27  120.536(1) and 120.54 for the implementation of this section.

28         Section 21.  Section 497.151, Florida Statutes, is

29  created to read:

30         497.151  Complaints; logs; procedures.--

31  


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 1         (1)  This section shall be applicable to all licensees

 2  under this chapter except preneed sales agent licensees.

 3         (2)  Licensees shall cause to be maintained on a

 4  continuing basis a log of all written complaints received by

 5  the licensee regarding any aspect of the licensee's

 6  operations. The log shall show the complainant's name, the

 7  date the complaint was received, and the complainant's address

 8  and phone number if shown in the complaint. Each written

 9  complaint received shall be entered into the complaint log

10  within 10 days after receiving such complaint. The licensing

11  authority may by rule establish requirements relating to

12  complaint logs, including whether the log may be

13  electronically maintained or must be kept in writing by pen

14  and ink. Each licensee under this chapter shall retain in its

15  records all written complaints received by the licensee or the

16  licensee's staff. All complaint logs, and all written

17  complaints and related papers, shall be retained by the

18  licensee until the completion of the next examination by the

19  department of the licensee, which examination covers the

20  period the complaint was received or such other period as the

21  licensing authority may by rule require.

22         (3)  Rules may be adopted modifying the requirements of

23  this section as applied to different categories of licensees

24  under this chapter, if the board determines that the

25  requirements of this section are impractical as to any

26  category of licensees.

27         Section 22.  Section 497.152, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         497.152  Disciplinary grounds.--This section sets forth

30  conduct which is prohibited and which shall constitute grounds

31  for denial of any application, imposition of discipline, and


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 1  other enforcement action against the licensee or other person

 2  committing such conduct. For purposes of this section, the

 3  requirements of this chapter include the requirements of rules

 4  adopted under authority of this chapter. No subsection heading

 5  in this section shall be interpreted as limiting the

 6  applicability of any paragraph within the subsection.

 7         (1)  GENERAL PROVISIONS.--The generality of the

 8  provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed to be

 9  limited by the provisions of any other subsection.

10         (a)  Violating any provision of this chapter or any

11  lawful order of the board or department or of the statutory

12  predecessors to the board or department.

13         (b)  Committing fraud, deceit, negligence,

14  incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of any of the

15  activities regulated under this chapter.

16         (c)  Failing while holding a license under this chapter

17  to maintain one or more of the qualifications for such

18  license.

19         (d)  Refusing to sell or issue a contract or provide

20  services to any person because of the person's race, color,

21  creed, marital status, sex, or national origin.

22         (2)  CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.--Being convicted or found

23  guilty of, or entering a plea of nolo contendere to,

24  regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which

25  relates to the practice of, or the ability to practice, a

26  licensee's profession or occupation under this chapter.

27         (3)  DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY OTHER AUTHORITIES.--Having

28  a license or the authority to practice a profession or

29  occupation revoked, suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise

30  acted against or disciplined by the licensing authority of any

31  jurisdiction, including its agencies or subdivisions, for


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 1  conduct that would constitute a violation of this chapter if

 2  committed in this state or upon grounds which directly relate

 3  to the ability to practice under this chapter. The licensing

 4  authority's acceptance of a relinquishment of licensure,

 5  stipulation, consent order, or other settlement offered in

 6  response to or in anticipation of the filing of charges

 7  against the license shall be construed as action against the

 8  license.

 9         (4)  OBLIGATIONS TO REGULATORS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT

10  AGENCIES.--

11         (a)  Improperly interfering with an investigation or

12  inspection authorized by statute or with any disciplinary

13  proceeding.

14         (b)  Failure to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena

15  of the department.

16         (c)  Refusal to produce records to the department or

17  board in connection with any activity regulated pursuant to

18  this chapter.

19         (d)  Failing to report to the department any person who

20  the licensee knows is in violation of this chapter.

21         (e)  Knowingly concealing information relative to

22  violations of this chapter.

23         (f)  Attempting to obtain, obtaining, or renewing a

24  license under this chapter by bribery, false or forged

25  evidence, or misrepresentation or through an error of the

26  department or board.

27         (g)  Making or filing a report or statement to or with

28  any government entity which the licensee knows or has reason

29  to know to be false; or intentionally or negligently failing

30  to file a report or record required to be filed with any

31  government entity, or willfully impeding or obstructing


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 1  another person to do so, or inducing another person to impede

 2  or obstruct such filing.

 3         (h)  Failing to perform any statutory or legal

 4  obligation placed upon a licensee.

 5         (5)  LIMITATIONS ON SCOPE OF PRACTICE; UNLICENSED

 6  PRACTICE.--

 7         (a)  Practicing or offering to practice beyond the

 8  scope permitted by this chapter and rules adopted under this

 9  chapter for the type of licensure held or accepting and

10  performing professional responsibilities the licensee knows,

11  or has reason to know, the licensee is not competent to

12  perform.

13         (b)  Practicing or attempting to practice with a

14  revoked, suspended, inactive, or delinquent license.

15         (c)  Representing as her or his own the license of

16  another.

17         (d)  Aiding, assisting, procuring, employing, or

18  advising any person or entity to practice a profession or

19  occupation regulated by this chapter without required

20  licensure under this chapter.

21         (e)  Aiding, assisting, procuring, employing, or

22  advising any person or entity to operate or in operating an

23  establishment regulated by this chapter without the required

24  licensure under this chapter.

25         (f)  Delegating to any person the performance of

26  professional activities, or contracting with any person for

27  the performance of professional activities by such person,

28  when the licensee knows or has reason to know the person is

29  not qualified by training, experience, and authorization to

30  perform such responsibilities.

31  


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 1         (g)  Using the name or title "funeral director,"

 2  "embalmer," "direct disposer," or other title suggesting

 3  licensure which the person using such name or title does not

 4  hold.

 5         (h)  Engaging by a direct disposer in the practice of

 6  direct burial or offering the at-need or preneed service of

 7  direct burial.

 8         (6)  EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.--

 9         (a)  Failing to comply with applicable educational

10  course requirements pursuant to this chapter or rules adopted

11  under this chapter regarding human immunodeficiency virus and

12  acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

13         (b)  Failing to timely comply with applicable

14  continuing education requirements of this chapter.

15         (7)  RELATIONS WITH OTHER LICENSEES.--

16         (a)  Having been found liable in a civil proceeding for

17  knowingly filing a false report or complaint against another

18  licensee with the department or the board.

19         (b)  Making any misleading statements or

20  misrepresentations as to the financial condition of any

21  person, or which are falsely and maliciously critical of any

22  person for the purpose damaging that person's business

23  regulated under this chapter.

24         (8)  TRANSPORT, CUSTODY, TREATMENT, OR DISINTERMENT OF

25  HUMAN REMAINS.--

26         (a)  Violation of any state law or rule or any

27  municipal or county ordinance or regulation affecting the

28  handling, custody, care, or transportation of dead human

29  bodies.

30         (b)  Refusing to surrender promptly the custody of a

31  dead human body upon the express order of the person legally


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 1  authorized to its custody; however, this provision shall be

 2  subject to any state or local laws or rules governing custody

 3  or transportation of dead human bodies.

 4         (c)  Taking possession of a dead human body without

 5  first having obtained written or oral permission from a

 6  legally authorized person. If oral permission is granted, the

 7  licensee must obtain written permission within a reasonable

 8  time as established by rule.

 9         (d)  Embalming human remains without first having

10  obtained written or oral permission from a legally authorized

11  person; however, washing and other public health procedures,

12  such as closing of the orifices by placing cotton soaked in a

13  disinfectant in such orifices until authorization to embalm is

14  received, shall not be precluded. If oral permission is

15  granted, the licensee must obtain written permission within a

16  reasonable time as established by board rule.

17         (e)  Failing to obtain written authorization from the

18  family or next of kin of the deceased prior to entombment,

19  interment, disinterment, disentombment, or disinurnment of the

20  remains of any human being.

21         (9)  SALES PRACTICES IN GENERAL.--

22         (a)  Soliciting by the licensee, or by her or his

23  agent, assistant, or employee, through the use of fraud, undue

24  influence, intimidation, overreaching, or other means which

25  takes advantage of a customer's ignorance or emotional

26  vulnerability.

27         (b)  Exercising undue influence on a client for the

28  purpose of financial gain of the licensee or a third party in

29  connection with any transaction regulated by this chapter.

30         (c)  Discouraging a customer's purchase of any funeral

31  merchandise or service which is advertised or offered for


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 1  sale, with the purpose of encouraging the purchase of

 2  additional or more expensive merchandise or service, by

 3  disparaging its quality or appearance, except that true

 4  factual statements concerning features, design, or

 5  construction do not constitute disparagement; by

 6  misrepresenting its availability or any delay involved in

 7  obtaining it; or by suggesting directly or by implication that

 8  a customer's concern for price or expressed interest in

 9  inexpensive funeral merchandise or services is improper,

10  inappropriate, or indicative of diminished respect or

11  affection for the deceased.

12         (d)  Misrepresenting the benefits, advantages,

13  conditions, or terms of any contract to provide any services

14  or merchandise regulated under this chapter.

15         (e)  Advertising goods and services in a manner that is

16  fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading in form or content.

17         (f)  Directly or indirectly making any deceptive,

18  misleading, or untrue representations, whether oral or

19  written, or employing any trick, scheme, or artifice, in or

20  related to the practice of a profession or occupation

21  regulated under this chapter, including in the advertising or

22  sale of any merchandise or services related to the practice of

23  the profession or occupation.

24         (10)  SPECIFIC MISREPRESENTATIONS.--

25         (a)  Making any false or misleading statement of the

26  legal requirement as to the necessity of any particular burial

27  or funeral merchandise or services.

28         (b)  Making any oral, written, or visual

29  representations, directly or indirectly, that any funeral

30  merchandise or service is offered for sale when such is not a

31  bona fide offer to sell such merchandise or service.


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 1         (c)  Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of

 2  inducing, or tending to induce, the lapse, forfeiture,

 3  exchange, conversion, or surrender of any preneed contract or

 4  any life insurance policy pledged or assigned to secure

 5  payment for funeral or burial goods or services.

 6         (d)  Misrepresenting pertinent facts or prepaid

 7  contract provisions relating to funeral or burial merchandise

 8  or services.

 9         (e)  Misrepresenting the amount advanced on behalf of a

10  customer for any item of service or merchandise, including,

11  but not limited to, cemetery or crematory services,

12  pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers,

13  musicians or singers, nurses, obituary notices, gratuities,

14  and death certificates, described as cash advances,

15  accommodations, or words of similar import on the contract,

16  final bill, or other written evidence of agreement or

17  obligation furnished to customers; however, nothing in this

18  paragraph shall require disclosure of a discount or rebate

19  which may accrue to a licensee subsequent to making a cash

20  advance.

21         (f)  Making any false or misleading statement or claim

22  that natural decomposition or decay of human remains can be

23  prevented or substantially delayed by embalming, use of a

24  gasketted or ungasketted casket, or use of an adhesive or

25  nonadhesive closure on an outer burial container.

26         (g)  Making any false or misleading statement, oral or

27  written, directly or indirectly, regarding any law or rule

28  pertaining to the preparation for disposition, transportation

29  for disposition, or disposition of dead human bodies.

30         (h)  Making any false or misleading statements of the

31  legal requirement as to the conditions under which


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 1  preservation of a dead human body is required or as to the

 2  necessity of a casket or outer burial container.

 3         (11)  SPECIFIC SALES PRACTICES.--

 4         (a)  Failing to furnish, for retention, to each

 5  purchaser of burial rights, burial or funeral merchandise, or

 6  burial or funeral services a written agreement, the form of

 7  which has been previously approved if and as required by this

 8  chapter, which lists in detail the items and services

 9  purchased together with the prices for the items and services

10  purchased; the name, address, and telephone number of the

11  licensee; the signatures of the customer and the licensee or

12  her or his representative; and the date signed.

13         (b)  Using any name or title in any contract regulated

14  under this chapter which misrepresents the true nature of the

15  contract.

16         (c)  Selling an irrevocable preneed contract to a

17  person who is not an applicant for or recipient of

18  Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent

19  Children or pursuant to s. 497.459(6)(a).

20         (d)  Except as authorized in part IV of this chapter,

21  guaranteeing the price of goods and services at a future date.

22         (e)  Requiring that a casket be purchased for cremation

23  or claiming directly or by implication that a casket is

24  required for cremation.

25         (f)  When displaying any caskets for sale, failing to

26  display the least expensive casket offered for sale or use in

27  adult funerals in the same general manner as the funeral

28  service industry member's other caskets are displayed.

29         (g)  Assessing fees and costs that have not been

30  disclosed to the customer in connection with any transaction

31  regulated by this chapter.


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 1         (h)  Failure by a cemetery licensed under this chapter

 2  to provide to any person, upon request, a copy of the cemetery

 3  bylaws.

 4         (i)  Requirements by a cemetery licensee that lot

 5  owners or current customers make unnecessary visits to the

 6  cemetery company office for the purpose of solicitation.

 7         (12)  DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.--

 8         (a)  Failure to disclose, when such disclosure is

 9  desired, the components of the prices for alternatives offered

10  by the licensee from whom disclosure is requested, such as

11  graveside service, direct disposition, and body donation

12  without any rites or ceremonies prior to the delivery of the

13  body and prices of service if there are to be such after the

14  residue has been removed following the use thereof.

15         (b)  Failing to furnish, for retention, to anyone who

16  inquires in person about burial rights, burial or funeral

17  merchandise, or burial or funeral services, before any

18  discussion of selection, a printed or typewritten list

19  specifying the range of retail prices for such rights,

20  merchandise, or services. At a minimum, the list shall itemize

21  the highest and lowest priced product and service regularly

22  offered and shall include the name, address, and telephone

23  number of the licensee and statements that the customer may

24  choose only the items the customer desires, that the customer

25  will be charged for only those items selected, and that there

26  may be other charges for other items or other services.

27         (c)  Failing to reasonably provide by telephone, upon

28  request, accurate information regarding the retail prices of

29  funeral merchandise and services offered for sale by that

30  licensee.

31  


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 1         (d)  Failure by a funeral director to make full

 2  disclosure in the case of a funeral or direct disposition with

 3  regard to the use of funeral merchandise which is not to be

 4  disposed of with the body or failure to obtain written

 5  permission from the purchaser regarding disposition of such

 6  merchandise.

 7         (e)  Failure by any funeral director to fully disclose

 8  all of her or his available services and merchandise prior to

 9  the selection of a casket offered by a licensee. The full

10  disclosure required shall identify what is included in the

11  funeral or direct disposition and the prices of all services

12  and merchandise provided by the licensee or registrant.

13         (f)  Failing to have the price of any casket offered

14  for sale clearly marked on or in the casket, whether the

15  casket is displayed at a funeral establishment or at any other

16  location, regardless of whether the licensee is in control of

17  such location. If a licensee uses books, catalogs, brochures,

18  or other printed display aids, the price of each casket shall

19  be clearly marked.

20         (g)  Failing to disclose all fees and costs the

21  customer may incur to use the burial rights or merchandise

22  purchased.

23         (13)  CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS.--

24         (a)  Failing without reasonable justification to timely

25  honor contracts entered into by the licensee or under the

26  licensee's license for funeral or burial merchandise or

27  services.

28         (b)  Failure to honor preneed contract cancellation

29  requests and make refunds as required by the chapter.

30         (14)  OBLIGATIONS REGARDING COMPLAINTS AND CLAIMS BY

31  CUSTOMERS.--


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 1         (a)  Failing to adopt and implement standards for the

 2  proper investigation and resolution of claims and complaints

 3  received by a licensee relating to the licensee's activities

 4  regulated by this chapter.

 5         (b)  Committing or performing with such frequency as to

 6  indicate a general business practice any of the following:

 7         1.  Failing to acknowledge and act promptly upon

 8  communications from a licensee's customers and their

 9  representatives with respect to claims or complaints relating

10  to the licensee's activities regulated by this chapter.

11         2.  Denying claims or rejecting complaints received by

12  a licensee from a customer or customer's representative,

13  relating to the licensee's activities regulated by this

14  chapter, without first conducting reasonable investigation

15  based upon available information.

16         3.  Attempting to settle a claim or complaint on the

17  basis of a material document which was altered without notice

18  to, or without the knowledge or consent of, the contract

19  purchaser or her or his representative or legal guardian.

20         4.  Failing within a reasonable time to affirm or deny

21  coverage of specified services or merchandise under a contract

22  entered into by a licensee upon written request of the

23  contract purchaser or her or his representative or legal

24  guardian.

25         5.  Failing to promptly provide, in relation to a

26  contract for funeral or burial merchandise or services entered

27  into by the licensee or under the licensee's license, a

28  reasonable explanation to the contract purchaser or her or his

29  representative or legal guardian of the licensee's basis for

30  denying or rejecting all or any part of a claim or complaint

31  submitted.


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 1         (c)  Making a material misrepresentation to a contract

 2  purchaser or her or his representative or legal guardian for

 3  the purpose and with the intent of effecting settlement of a

 4  claim or complaint or loss under a prepaid contract on less

 5  favorable terms than those provided in, and contemplated by,

 6  the prepaid contract.

 7         (d)  Failing to maintain a complete copy of every

 8  complaint received by the licensee since the date of the last

 9  examination of the licensee by the department. For purposes of

10  this subsection, the term "complaint" means any written

11  communication primarily expressing a grievance and which

12  communication is from:

13         1.  A representative or family member of a deceased

14  person interred at the licensee's facilities or using the

15  licensee's services, or which deceased's remains were the

16  subject of any service provided by the licensee or licensee's

17  business; or

18         2.  A person, or such person's family member or

19  representative, who inquired of the licensee or licensee's

20  business concerning the purchase of, or who purchased or

21  contracted to purchase, any funeral or burial merchandise or

22  services from the licensee or licensee's business.

23         (15)  MISCELLANEOUS FINANCIAL MATTERS.--

24         (a)  Failing to timely pay any fee required by this

25  chapter.

26         (b)  Failing to timely remit as required by this

27  chapter the required amounts to any trust fund required by

28  this chapter.

29         (c)  Paying to or receiving from any organization,

30  agency, or person, either directly or indirectly, any

31  commission, bonus, kickback, or rebate in any form whatsoever


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 1  for any business regulated under this chapter, whether such

 2  payments are made or received by the licensee, or her or his

 3  agent, assistant, or employee; however, this provision shall

 4  not prohibit the payment of commissions by a funeral director,

 5  funeral establishment, cemetery, or monument establishment to

 6  its preneed agents licensed pursuant to this chapter or to

 7  licensees under this chapter.

 8         Section 23.  Section 497.153, Florida Statutes, is

 9  created to read:

10         497.153  Disciplinary procedures and penalties.--

11         (1)  JURISDICTION OF LICENSING AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE

12  AND PROSECUTE.--The expiration, nonrenewal, or surrender of

13  licensure under this chapter shall not eliminate jurisdiction

14  in the licensing authority to investigate and prosecute for

15  violations committed while licensed under this chapter. The

16  prosecution of any matter may be initiated or continued

17  notwithstanding the withdrawal of any complaint.

18         (2)  DETERMINATION OF PROBABLE CAUSE.--

19         (a)  If the department shall determine that there is

20  reasonable cause to believe that any licensee under this

21  chapter is subject to disciplinary action under this chapter

22  and is not eligible for a citation or notice of noncompliance

23  pursuant to criteria established by the board, the department

24  shall present the matter to a probable cause panel of the

25  board.

26         (b)  Prior to submitting a matter to the probable cause

27  panel, the licensee who is the subject of the matter shall be

28  provided by the department with a copy of any written

29  complaint received by the department in the matter and shall

30  be advised that she or he may, within 20 days after receipt of

31  a copy of such complaint from the department, submit to the


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 1  department a written response. Any response timely received by

 2  the department shall be provided by the department to the

 3  probable cause panel. Licensees may not appear in person or

 4  through a representative at any probable cause panel

 5  proceeding. This paragraph shall not apply to emergency

 6  action.

 7         (3)  PROBABLE CAUSE PROCEEDINGS.--

 8         (a)  The board may provide, by rule, for multiple

 9  probable cause panels composed of at least two members. The

10  board may provide, by rule, that one or more members of the

11  panel or panels may be a former board member. The length of

12  term or repetition of service of any such former board member

13  on a probable cause panel may vary according to the direction

14  of the board when authorized by board rule. Any probable cause

15  panel must include one of the board's former or present

16  consumer members, if one is available and willing to serve.

17  Any probable cause panel must include a present board member.

18  The board shall enact rules consistent with this section

19  specifying, according to what categories of licensure are

20  represented on a probable cause panel, what categories of

21  licensee cases may be presented to that panel. Former board

22  members may be from the former Board of Funeral and Cemetery

23  Services or the former Board of Funeral Directors and

24  Embalmers. However, any former professional board member

25  serving on the probable cause panel must hold an active valid

26  license for that profession.

27         (b)  The probable cause panel may make a reasonable

28  request to the department for additional investigative

29  information, and upon such request the department shall

30  provide such additional investigative information as is

31  necessary to the determination of probable cause. A request


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 1  for additional investigative information shall be made within

 2  15 days after the date of receipt by the probable cause panel

 3  of the investigative report of the department. The probable

 4  cause panel shall make its determination as to the existence

 5  of probable cause within 30 days after referral of the matter

 6  to the probable cause panel by the department. The Chief

 7  Financial Officer may grant extensions of the 15-day and the

 8  30-day time limits. If the probable cause panel does not find

 9  probable cause within the 30-day time limit, as may be

10  extended, or if the probable cause panel finds no probable

11  cause, the department may determine, within 10 days after the

12  panel fails to determine probable cause or 10 days after the

13  time limit has elapsed, that probable cause exists.

14         (c)  The probable cause panel may not resolve or direct

15  resolution of a matter presented to it, by issuance of a

16  citation or a letter of guidance or noncompliance or other

17  informal resolution, without the concurrence of the

18  department.

19         (d)  The determination as to whether probable cause

20  exists shall be made by majority vote of the probable cause

21  panel of the board.

22         (e)  If the probable cause panel finds that probable

23  cause exists, it shall direct the department to file a formal

24  complaint against the licensee.

25         (4)  ACTION AFTER PROBABLE CAUSE FOUND.--

26         (a)  Service of an administrative complaint may be in

27  person by department staff or any person authorized to make

28  service of process under the Florida rules of civil procedure.

29  Service upon a licensee may in the alternative be made by

30  certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known

31  address of record provided by the licensee to the department.


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 1         (b)  If after service of the administrative complaint

 2  on a licensee the licensee does not dispute the facts alleged,

 3  the department shall present the matter to the board for final

 4  action.

 5         (c)  The department may at any time present to the

 6  board a proposed settlement of any matter as to which probable

 7  cause has been found. If the board accepts the proposed

 8  settlement, it shall issue its final order adopting the

 9  settlement. If the board does not accept such settlement, the

10  prosecution of the matter shall be resumed. No settlement of

11  any disciplinary matter as to which probable cause has been

12  found may be entered into by the board prior to receipt of a

13  recommended order of an administrative law judge without the

14  department's concurrence.

15         (d)  Hearings concerning disputes as to any fact

16  alleged in a disciplinary action shall be held before an

17  administrative law judge of the Division of Administrative

18  Hearings in accordance with chapter 120. The department shall

19  present the recommended order of the administrative law judge

20  to the board for final action.

21         (e)  If at any time after probable cause has been found

22  in a matter the department shall conclude that the matter

23  should not be further prosecuted, the department may present

24  the matter to any probable cause panel of the board. If that

25  probable cause panel concurs with the department, the

26  prosecution may be terminated, without prejudice to subsequent

27  prosecution of the same matter. If the probable cause panel

28  does not concur with the department, the matter shall be

29  returned to the department for continued prosecution. Upon

30  commencement of taking of evidence in a matter before an

31  administrative law judge, the jurisdiction of the


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 1  administrative law judge may not be terminated except by order

 2  of the administrative law judge or a court of competent

 3  jurisdiction.

 4         (f)  No disciplinary matter may come before the board

 5  for final or other action, nor shall action by the board be

 6  taken as to any disciplinary matter, except upon presentation

 7  and recommendation by the department.

 8         (5)  PENALTIES.--

 9         (a)  When the board finds any person to be subject to

10  discipline under this chapter, it may enter an order imposing

11  one or more of the following:

12         1.  Denial of an application for a license.

13         2.  Issuance of a written reprimand.

14         3.  Placement of the licensee on probation for a period

15  of time and subject to such conditions as the board may

16  specify.

17         4.  Restrictions on the authorized scope of practice of

18  the licensee.

19         5.  Requirements that the licensee complete additional

20  education or training as specified by the board.

21         6.  Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed

22  $5,000 for each count or separate offense; provided, a

23  licensee may by settlement agree to a fine in excess of such

24  $5,000 limitation.

25         7.  Suspension of a license. A suspension may be for

26  such period and subject to such terms as the board shall

27  specify in its order imposing discipline. Unless ordered

28  otherwise by the board, during the period of suspension, the

29  person whose license has been suspended shall continue to file

30  all such reports, complete all continuing education, and pay

31  all fees as required under this chapter as if the license had


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 1  continued in full force. Upon expiration of the suspension

 2  period, if within such period the license has not otherwise

 3  terminated, the suspended license shall automatically be

 4  reinstated unless the board has ordered that the licensee

 5  apply for reinstatement, and the board may deny such

 6  application if the board finds that the causes of the

 7  suspension have not been resolved or that such person is

 8  otherwise not in compliance with the requirements of the order

 9  or this chapter.

10         8.  Revocation of licensure. The board may specify by

11  final order on a case-by-case basis the period of time that

12  must elapse before a revoked licensee may apply or reapply for

13  any licensure under this chapter. The board may by order on a

14  case-by-case basis specify that a revocation is permanent and

15  that no future application for licensure under this chapter by

16  the revoked person or entity shall be accepted, processed or

17  approved. In no event shall any person or entity who has been

18  revoked under this section subsequently be issued the same or

19  other licensure under this chapter unless such person shall

20  show by clear and convincing evidence that the person or

21  entity has been rehabilitated and otherwise qualifies for the

22  licensure applied for.

23         (b)  In addition to any fine and other sanction

24  imposed, the board may order the payment by the licensee of

25  the reasonable costs of the department and the board

26  associated with investigation and prosecution the matter, and

27  may order the licensee to make restitution as directed by

28  board order to persons harmed by the violation.

29         (c)  The failure of a licensee to timely comply with a

30  final order of the board imposing discipline shall be grounds

31  for emergency suspension of all licensure held by the licensee


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 1  under this chapter; provided, the department shall give

 2  written notice to such licensee, at least 7 days before such

 3  emergency suspension, of the department's intent to enter an

 4  emergency order of suspension and the ground therefore, and

 5  such emergency suspension shall not occur if during the 7-day

 6  period the licensee shall provide the department with evidence

 7  satisfactory to the department that the licensee was in

 8  compliance or has come into compliance with the disciplinary

 9  order. Any emergency suspension imposed shall be effective

10  when served, and shall terminate upon notice to the licensee

11  by the department that the department has received evidence

12  satisfactory to the department that the licensee has come into

13  compliance with the board's order, which notice the department

14  shall promptly provide to the licensee upon receipt of such

15  evidence. Notwithstanding the licensee's correction of any

16  noncompliance with a board order, such licensee shall be

17  liable for additional disciplinary action for failure to

18  timely comply with an order of the board.

19         (d)  Any order imposing any penalty pursuant to this

20  section shall recite the grounds upon which the penalty is

21  based.

22         (6)  PROTECTION OF CUSTOMERS OF DISCIPLINED

23  LICENSEES.--In imposing any discipline under this section the

24  board may also impose by its order such restrictions,

25  conditions and requirements on the licensee and the licensee's

26  assets and the assets of any trust under this chapter utilized

27  by the licensee, as are reasonably necessary for the

28  protection of persons to whom the disciplined licensee is

29  obligated for the future performance or delivery of funeral or

30  burial merchandise or services. The board shall have

31  continuing jurisdiction over revoked persons and entities and


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 1  their assets and related trusts under this chapter, for the

 2  purpose of and to the extent necessary for the protection of

 3  persons to whom the disciplined licensee is obligated for the

 4  future performance or delivery of funeral or burial

 5  merchandise or services, and may issue such subsequent and

 6  additional orders as from time to time the board deems

 7  necessary or advisable for such purposes. The courts of this

 8  state shall have jurisdiction to enforce the reasonable orders

 9  of the board issued for such purposes.

10         (7)  LIABILITY FOR AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES.--For purposes

11  of this section, the acts or omissions of any person employed

12  by or under contract to the licensee shall be treated as acts

13  or omissions of the licensee. However, the board may determine

14  that disciplinary action may be more appropriately taken

15  against an individual licensed preneed agent or licensed

16  branch rather than taking action against the sponsoring

17  preneed licensee.

18         (8)  PUBLICATION OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION.--The

19  department may cause notice of any disciplinary action of the

20  board to be published in one or more newspapers of general

21  circulation published in this state.

22         (9)  DETERMINATIONS NOT SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 120.--The

23  following determinations shall not entitle any person to

24  proceedings under chapter 120:

25         (a)  A determination by the department to exercise its

26  authority under this chapter to investigate, financially

27  examine, or inspect any person or entity; or a determination

28  by the department concerning how to conduct such

29  investigation, financial examination, or inspection; or a

30  determination by the department concerning the content of any

31  report of investigation, financial examination, or inspection.


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 1         (b)  A determination by the department that there is

 2  reasonable cause to believe that a licensee under this chapter

 3  is subject to disciplinary action under this chapter and that

 4  the matter should be presented to a probable cause panel of

 5  the board, or that the licensee is not eligible for a citation

 6  pursuant to criteria established by the board.

 7         (c)  A determination by a probable cause panel of the

 8  board that probable cause does or does not exist, or a

 9  determination by the department under paragraph (3)(b).

10         (d)  A determination by the department not to offer any

11  settlement to a licensee concerning any disciplinary matter.

12         Section 24.  Section 497.133, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 497.154, Florida Statutes, to read:

14         497.154 497.133  Disciplinary guidelines.--

15         (1)  The board shall adopt, by rule, and periodically

16  review the disciplinary guidelines applicable to each ground

17  for disciplinary action which may be imposed by the board

18  pursuant to this chapter, and any rule of the board or

19  department.

20         (2)  The disciplinary guidelines shall specify a

21  meaningful range of designated penalties based upon the

22  severity and repetition of specific offenses, it being the

23  legislative intent that minor violations be distinguished from

24  those which endanger the public health, safety, or welfare;

25  that such guidelines provide reasonable and meaningful notice

26  to the public of likely penalties which may be imposed for

27  proscribed conduct; and that such penalties be consistently

28  applied by the board.

29         (3)  A specific finding of mitigating or aggravating

30  circumstances shall allow the board to impose a penalty other

31  than that provided for in such guidelines. If applicable, the


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 1  board shall adopt by rule disciplinary guidelines to designate

 2  possible mitigating and aggravating circumstances and the

 3  variation and range of penalties permitted for such

 4  circumstances.

 5         (4)  The department must review such disciplinary

 6  guidelines for compliance with the legislative intent as set

 7  forth in this section to determine whether the guidelines

 8  establish a meaningful range of penalties and may also

 9  challenge such rules pursuant to s. 120.56.

10         (5)  The rules provided for in this section shall be

11  adopted promulgated within 6 months after the enactment of the

12  board.

13         (6)  The administrative law judge, in recommending

14  penalties in any recommended order, must follow the penalty

15  guidelines established by the board and must state in writing

16  the mitigating or aggravating circumstances upon which the

17  recommended penalty is based.

18         Section 25.  Section 497.121, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 497.155, Florida Statutes, and amended

20  to read:

21         497.155 497.121  Disciplinary citations and minor

22  violations Authority to issue citations.--

23         (1)  CITATIONS.--

24         (a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 497.153

25  497.131, the board shall adopt rules to permit the issuance of

26  citations. The citation shall be issued to the subject and

27  shall contain the subject's name and address, the subject's

28  license number if applicable, a brief factual statement, the

29  sections of the law allegedly violated, and the penalty

30  imposed. The citation must clearly state that the subject may

31  choose, in lieu of accepting the citation, to follow the


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 1  procedures under s. 497.153 497.131. If the subject disputes

 2  the matter in the citation, the procedures set forth in s.

 3  497.153 497.131 must be followed. However, if the subject does

 4  not dispute the matter in the citation with the department

 5  within 30 days after the citation is served, the citation

 6  shall become a final order of the board and shall constitute

 7  discipline. The penalty shall be a fine or other conditions as

 8  established by rule.

 9         (b)(2)  The board shall adopt rules designating

10  violations for which a citation may be issued. Such rules

11  shall designate as citation violations those violations for

12  which there is no substantial threat to the public health,

13  safety, and welfare. Citations shall not be utilized if there

14  was any significant consumer harm resulting from the

15  violation.

16         (c)(3)  The department shall be entitled to recover the

17  costs of investigation, in addition to any penalty provided

18  according to board rule, as part of the penalty levied

19  pursuant to the citation.

20         (d)(4)  A citation must be issued within 6 months after

21  the filing of the complaint that is the basis for the

22  citation.

23         (e)(5)  Service of a citation may be made by personal

24  service or certified mail, restricted delivery, to the subject

25  at the subject's last known address.

26         (2)  MINOR VIOLATIONS.--

27         (a)  The board may by rule specify violations of this

28  chapter, and criteria for use by the department in identifying

29  violations of this chapter, which are minor violations and

30  which, if promptly corrected by the licensee upon notice by

31  the department during investigation, may, with the concurrence


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 1  of the department, result in closure of the investigation in

 2  the matter without further action by the department or the

 3  board.

 4         (b)  The rules may establish limits as to the number of

 5  times in total, or per period of time, that this subsection

 6  may be used in regard to any one licensee.

 7         (c)  The rules may establish limits or prohibitions on

 8  the use of this subsection where the violation relates to a

 9  consumer complaint received by the department concerning the

10  licensee, and the complaint has not been resolved.

11         (d)  There may by rule be specified notices of

12  noncompliance and other forms and procedures for use in

13  implementation of this subsection.

14         Section 26.  Section 497.156, Florida Statutes, is

15  created to read:

16         497.156  Emergency action against licensees.--In

17  addition to or in lieu of other actions authorized under this

18  chapter for the enforcement of this chapter, the department

19  may issue emergency orders under s. 120.60(6) suspending or

20  restricting a license or ordering a licensee to cease or

21  desist from specified conduct, or taking other action deemed

22  necessary in the circumstances, but shall thereafter promptly

23  present the matter to a probable cause panel of the board.

24  Emergency orders shall be effective when issued, shall be

25  appealable as provided by law, and shall be enforceable in the

26  courts of this state.

27         Section 27.  Section 497.157, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         497.157  Unlicensed practice; remedies concerning

30  violations by unlicensed persons.--

31  


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 1         (1)  No person or entity shall engage in any activity

 2  for which a license is required under this chapter, without

 3  holding such licensure in good standing.

 4         (2)(a)  When the department has reasonable cause to

 5  believe that any person or entity not licensed under this

 6  chapter has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule

 7  adopted under this chapter, the department may issue an

 8  administrative complaint to such person or entity, alleging

 9  violation of this chapter and providing notice therein of

10  intent by the department to order such person to cease and

11  desist from the alleged violation of this chapter, to take

12  corrective action including payment of restitution to persons

13  adversely affected by the violation, to pay the department's

14  reasonable costs of investigation and prosecution, or to

15  impose a fine of up to $10,000 upon such person for each

16  violation of this chapter alleged in the administrative

17  complaint.

18         (b)  The issuance of the administrative complaint shall

19  be a decision affecting substantial interests and shall

20  entitle the respondent therein to proceedings pursuant to s.

21  120.569, if such proceedings are requested by the respondent

22  in a writing received by the department within 21 days after

23  service of the administrative complaint. If such proceedings

24  are timely requested and the respondent shall contest any

25  material fact alleged in the administrative complaint, the

26  matter shall be heard before an administrative law judge of

27  the Division of Administrative Hearings, who shall issue her

28  or his recommended order to the department; otherwise, the

29  proceedings shall be before the Chief Financial Officer or her

30  or his designee. Upon conclusion of proceedings under s.

31  120.57 if the subject timely requested a hearing, or after the


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 1  expiration of 21 days after service of the administrative

 2  complaint if no request for hearing is received within those

 3  21 days, the department may take final agency action and issue

 4  its final order concerning the matter, which  final order

 5  shall be enforceable as set forth in s. 120.69.

 6         (3)  Where the department determines that an emergency

 7  exists regarding any violation of this chapter by any

 8  unlicensed person or entity, the department may issue and

 9  serve an immediate final order upon such unlicensed person or

10  entity, in accordance with s. 120.569(2)(n). Such an immediate

11  final order may impose such prohibitions and requirements as

12  are reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety,

13  and welfare, and shall be effective when served.

14         (a)  For the purpose of enforcing such an immediate

15  final order, the department may file an emergency or other

16  proceeding in the circuit courts of the state seeking

17  enforcement of the immediate final order by injunctive or

18  other order of the court. The court shall issue its injunction

19  or other order enforcing the immediate final order pending

20  administrative resolution of the matter under subsection (2),

21  unless the court determines that such action would work a

22  manifest injustice under the circumstances. Venue for judicial

23  actions under this paragraph shall be, at the election of the

24  department, in the courts of Leon County, or in a county where

25  the respondent resides or has a place of business.

26         (b)  After serving an immediate final order to cease

27  and desist upon any person or entity, the department shall

28  within 10 days issue and serve upon the same person or entity

29  an administrative complaint as set forth in subsection (2),

30  except that, absent order of a court to the contrary, the

31  


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 1  immediate final order shall be effective throughout the

 2  pendency of proceedings under subsection (2).

 3         (4)  For the purpose of this section, the violation of

 4  this chapter by a person who is not licensed under this

 5  chapter or by any person who aids and abets the unlicensed

 6  activity shall be presumed to be irreparable harm to the

 7  public health, safety, or welfare.

 8         (5)  Any administrative complaint or immediate final

 9  order under this section may be served in person by a

10  department employee or by certified mail, return receipt

11  requested, to the subject's place of residence or business, or

12  by other means authorized by law.

13         Section 28.  Section 497.229, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 497.158, Florida Statutes, and amended

15  to read:

16         497.158 497.229  Court enforcement actions; Courts;

17  powers; abatement of nuisances.--

18         (1)  In addition to or in lieu of other actions

19  authorized by this chapter, the department may petition the

20  courts of this state for injunctive or other relief against

21  any licensed or unlicensed person, for the enforcement of this

22  chapter and orders issued under this chapter. The court shall

23  be authorized to impose a fine of up to $5,000 per violation,

24  payable to the department, upon any person determined by the

25  court to have violated this chapter, and may order payment to

26  the department of the department's attorney's fees and

27  litigation costs, by any person found to have violated this

28  chapter.

29         (2)(1)  In addition to all other means provided by law

30  for the enforcement by a court of a temporary restraining

31  order or an injunction, the circuit court may impound the


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 1  property of a licensee cemetery company, including books,

 2  papers, documents, and records pertaining thereto, and may

 3  appoint a receiver or administrator to prevent further

 4  violation of this chapter.

 5         (3)(2)  A court-appointed receiver or administrator may

 6  take any action to implement the provisions of the court

 7  order, to ensure the performance of the order, and to remedy

 8  any breach thereof.

 9         (4)(3)  Any nonconforming physical condition in a

10  cemetery or component thereof which is the result of a

11  violation of this chapter or of the rules adopted under this

12  chapter of the board relating to construction, physical

13  operations, or care and maintenance at the cemetery shall be

14  deemed a public nuisance, and the nonconforming physical

15  conditions caused by such violation may be abated as provided

16  in s. 60.05.

17         Section 29.  Section 497.159, Florida Statutes, is

18  created to read:

19         497.159  Crimes.--

20         (1)  The theft of an examination in whole or in part or

21  the act of unauthorized reproducing or copying any examination

22  administered by the department or the board, whether such

23  examination is reproduced or copied in part or in whole and by

24  any means, constitutes a felony of the third degree,

25  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.

26  775.084.

27         (2)  The act of knowingly giving false information in

28  the course of applying for or obtaining a license under this

29  chapter, with intent to mislead the board or a public employee

30  in the performance of her or his official duties, or the act

31  of attempting to obtain or obtaining a license under this


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 1  chapter by knowingly misleading statements or knowing

 2  misrepresentations, constitutes a felony of the third degree,

 3  punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s.

 4  775.084.

 5         (3)  Any individual who willfully obstructs the

 6  department or its examiner in any examination or investigation

 7  authorized by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

 8  second degree and is, in addition to any disciplinary action

 9  under this chapter, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

10  775.083.

11         (4)  Any officer or director, or person occupying

12  similar status or performing similar functions, of a licensee

13  under this chapter who knowingly directs or causes the failure

14  to make required deposits to any trust fund required by this

15  chapter, or with knowledge that such required deposits are not

16  being made as required by law fails to report such failure to

17  the department, or who knowingly directs or causes the

18  unlawful withdrawal of funds from any trust fund required by

19  this chapter, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable

20  as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

21         (5)(a)  No cemetery company or other legal entity

22  conducting or maintaining any public or private cemetery may

23  deny burial space to any person because of race or color. A

24  cemetery company or other entity operating any cemetery may

25  designate parts of cemeteries or burial grounds for the

26  specific use of persons whose religious code requires

27  isolation. Religious institution cemeteries may limit burials

28  to members of the religious institution and their families.

29         (b)  Any cemetery company or other legal entity which

30  violates the provisions of this subsection commits a

31  misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.


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 1  775.083, and each violation of this section constitutes a

 2  separate offense.

 3         (6)  Any person who is not licensed under this chapter

 4  who engages in activity requiring licensure under this

 5  chapter, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,

 6  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 7         Section 30.  Section 497.437, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 497.160, Florida Statutes, and amended

 9  to read:

10         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

11         s. 497.437, F.S., for present text)

12         497.160  Receivership proceedings.--

13         (1)  The department with the approval of the board may

14  petition the circuit courts of this state for appointment of a

15  receiver of any licensee or revoked or suspended licensee

16  under this chapter, or person who has without license

17  conducted activities requiring licensure under this chapter.

18  The court shall appoint a receiver if the court shall

19  determine that a receivership is necessary or advisable:

20         (a)  To ensure the orderly and proper conduct of a

21  licensee's professional business and affairs during or in the

22  aftermath of the administrative proceeding to revoke or

23  suspend the licensee.

24         (b)  For the protection of the public's interest and

25  rights in the business, premises, or activities of the person

26  sought to be placed in receivership.

27         (c)  Upon a showing of actual or constructive

28  abandonment of premises or business licensed or which were not

29  but should have been licensed under this chapter.

30  

31  


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 1         (d)  Upon a showing of serious and repeated violations

 2  of this chapter demonstrating and inability or unwillingness

 3  of a licensee to comply with the requirements of this chapter.

 4         (e)  To prevent loss, wasting, dissipation, theft, or

 5  conversion of assets that should be marshaled and held

 6  available for the honoring of obligations under this chapter.

 7         (f)  Upon proof of other grounds which the court deems

 8  good and sufficient for instituting receivership action

 9  concerning the respondent sought to be placed in receivership.

10         (2)  A receivership under this section may be

11  temporary, or for the winding up and dissolution of the

12  business, as the department may request and the court

13  determines to be necessary or advisable in the circumstances.

14  Venue of receivership proceedings may, at the department's

15  election, in Leon County, or the county where the subject of

16  the receivership is located. The appointed receiver shall be

17  the department or such person as the department may nominate

18  and the court shall approve. The provisions of part I of

19  chapter 631 shall be applicable to receiverships under this

20  section except to the extent the court shall determine the

21  application of particular of such provisions to be

22  impracticable or would produce unfair results in the

23  circumstances. Expenditures by the department from its

24  budgeted funds, the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer

25  Protection Trust Fund, and other regulatory trust funds

26  derived from this chapter, for implementation and effectuation

27  of such a receivership, shall be authorized; any such funds

28  expended shall be a claim against the estate in the

29  receivership proceedings.

30         (3)  The department may adopt rules for the

31  implementation of this section.


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 1         Section 31.  Section 497.161, Florida Statutes, is

 2  created to read:

 3         497.161  Other rulemaking provisions.--

 4         (1)  In addition to such other rules as are authorized

 5  or required under this chapter, the following additional

 6  rules, not inconsistent with this chapter, shall be authorized

 7  by the licensing authority.

 8         (a)  Rules by the board defining any technical term

 9  used but not defined in his chapter, and defining the terms

10  "at-need" and "preneed" as used in this chapter:

11         (b)  Rules by the board defining and regulating

12  hazardous materials generated in connection with the practice

13  of embalming, funeral directing, or direct disposition.

14         (c)  Rules by the board governing the operation of

15  cemeteries in this state.

16         (d)  Rules establishing a fee of up to $100 for

17  issuance of a duplicate license or for a name change on a

18  license.

19         (e)  Rules allowing and prescribing procedure and

20  formats for the electronic submission of any applications,

21  documents, filings or fees required by this chapter.

22         (f)  Rules establishing procedures for investigation,

23  financial examination and inspection of licensees.

24         (g)  Rules establishing procedures by which the

25  department may use the expert or technical advice of the board

26  or members of the board for the purposes of any investigation,

27  inspection, or financial examination, without thereby

28  disqualifying the board member from voting on final action in

29  the matter.

30         (h)  In connection with the statutory revisions by the

31  2005 Regular Session of the Legislature merging chapters 470


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 1  and 497 as those chapters appeared in the 2004 edition of the

 2  Florida Statutes and the elimination of the former boards

 3  under those chapters and the movement of regulation out of the

 4  Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the

 5  licensing authority shall through July 1, 2006, be deemed to

 6  have extraordinary rulemaking authority to adopt any and all

 7  rules jointly agreed by the board and the department to be

 8  necessary for the protection of the public concerning the

 9  regulation of the professions and occupations regulated under

10  this chapter, or for the relief of licensees regulated under

11  this chapter concerning any impacts which the department and

12  the board jointly agree were unintended or not contemplated in

13  the enactment of the 2005 legislative changes. The authority

14  under this paragraph and any rules adopted under authority of

15  this paragraph shall expire July 1, 2006.

16         (2)  In addition to challenges for any invalid exercise

17  of delegated legislative authority, no rule shall be adopted

18  under this chapter, and the administrative law judge upon such

19  a challenge by the department or the board, may declare all or

20  part of a rule or proposed rule invalid, if the rule or

21  proposed rule:

22         (a)  Does not protect the public from any significant

23  and discernible harm or damages;

24         (b)  Unreasonably restricts competition or the

25  availability of professional services in the state or in a

26  significant part of the state; or

27         (c)  Unnecessarily increases the cost of professional

28  services without a corresponding or equivalent public benefit.

29         However, there shall not be created a presumption of

30  the existence of any of the conditions cited in this

31  


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 1  subsection in the event that the rule or proposed rule is

 2  challenged.

 3         (3)  The department and the board shall each have

 4  standing under chapter 120 for the purposes of challenging

 5  rules or proposed rules under this chapter.

 6         Section 32.  Section 470.0201, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 497.162, Florida Statutes, and amended

 8  to read:

 9         497.162 470.0201  Health and safety education.--All

10  individuals not licensed under this chapter by the department

11  who intend to be employed as operational personnel affiliated

12  with a direct disposal establishment, cinerator facility,

13  removal service, refrigeration facility, or centralized

14  embalming facility, as well as all nonlicensed individuals who

15  intend to be involved in the removal or transportation of

16  human remains on behalf of a funeral establishment, direct

17  disposal establishment, or cinerator facility shall complete

18  one course approved by the licensing authority board on

19  communicable diseases, within 10 days after the date that they

20  begin functioning as operational personnel on behalf of any

21  entity that is regulated by this chapter. The course shall not

22  exceed 3 hours and shall be offered at approved locations

23  throughout the state. Such locations may include

24  establishments that are licensed or registered under this

25  chapter. The licensing authority board shall adopt rules to

26  implement and enforce this provision, which rules shall

27  include provisions that provide for the use of approved

28  videocassette courses and other types of audio, video, or home

29  study courses to fulfill the continuing education requirements

30  of this section.

31  


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 1         Section 33.  Section 497.163, Florida Statutes, is

 2  created to read:

 3         497.163  Restriction on requirement of citizenship.--No

 4  person shall be disqualified from practicing an occupation or

 5  profession regulated by this chapter solely because she or he

 6  is not a United States citizen.

 7         Section 34.  Section 497.321, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 497.164, Florida Statutes, and amended

 9  to read:

10         497.164 497.321  Solicitation of goods or services.--

11         (1)  The board is authorized to adopt rules regulating

12  the solicitation of sales of burial rights, merchandise, or

13  services by licensees.

14         (2)  The board shall regulate such solicitation to

15  protect the public from solicitation which is intimidating,

16  overreaching, vexatious, fraudulent, or misleading; which

17  utilizes undue influence; or which takes undue advantage of a

18  person's ignorance or emotional vulnerability.

19         (3)  The board shall regulate any solicitation which

20  comprises an uninvited invasion of personal privacy. It is the

21  express finding of the Legislature that the public have a high

22  expectation of privacy in their personal residences, and the

23  department by rule shall restrict the hours or otherwise

24  regulate such solicitation in the personal residence of a

25  person unless the solicitation has been previously and

26  expressly requested by the person solicited.

27         (4)  Nothing in this section act shall be construed to

28  restrict the right of a person to lawfully advertise, use

29  direct mail, or otherwise communicate in a manner not within

30  the definition of solicitation or to solicit the business of

31  


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 1  anyone responding to such communication or otherwise

 2  initiating discussion of goods and services being offered.

 3         (5)  At-need solicitation of sales of burial rights,

 4  merchandise, or services is prohibited. No person cemetery

 5  company or any agent or representative of that company may

 6  contact the family or next of kin of a deceased person to sell

 7  services or merchandise unless the person cemetery company or

 8  an agent or representative of the company has been initially

 9  called or contacted by the family or next of kin of such

10  person or persons and requested to provide services or

11  merchandise.

12         Section 35.  Section 497.025, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 497.165, Florida Statutes, and amended

14  to read:

15         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

16         s. 497.025, F.S., for present text.)

17         497.165  Liability of owners, directors, and officers

18  regarding trust funds.--The owners, officers, and directors of

19  any licensee under this chapter may be held jointly and

20  severally liable for any deficiency in any trust fund required

21  by this chapter, to the extent the deficiency arose during the

22  period they were owners, officers or directors of the

23  licensee, if their conduct, or their negligence in the

24  performance of their duties, caused the deficiency or

25  substantially contributed to conditions that allowed the

26  deficiency to arise or increase.

27         Section 36.  Section 497.166, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         497.166  Preneed sales.--

30         (1)  Regulation of preneed sales shall be as set forth

31  in part IV of this chapter. No person may act as an agent for


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 1  a funeral establishment or direct disposal establishment with

 2  respect to preneed contracts unless such person is licensed as

 3  a preneed sales agent pursuant to part IV of this chapter.

 4         (2)  Nothing in parts I, II, III, V, or VI of this

 5  chapter shall understood to necessarily prohibit any licensee

 6  under this chapter from selling preneed funerals and funeral

 7  merchandise through its agents and employees, so long as such

 8  sales are permitted by part IV of this chapter.

 9         (3)(a)  The funeral director in charge of a funeral

10  establishment shall be responsible for the control and

11  activities of the establishment's preneed sales agents.

12         (b)  The direct disposer in charge or a funeral

13  director acting as a direct disposer in charge of a direct

14  disposal establishment shall be responsible for the control

15  and activities of the establishment's preneed sales agents.

16         Section 37.  Section 497.167, Florida Statutes, is

17  created to read:

18         497.167  Administrative matters.--

19         (1)  The department shall establish and operate a

20  toll-free telephone hotline to receive complaints and provide

21  information relating to the regulation under this chapter.

22         (2)  The director of the division shall serve as

23  executive director of the board. The director is the agency

24  head of the division. The director shall be appointed by and

25  serve at the pleasure of the Chief Financial Officer. The

26  director shall be responsible for preparation of the agenda

27  for each board meeting, and may make presentation to the board

28  of department recommendations and reports, and shall perform

29  such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Financial

30  Officer.

31  


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 1         (3)  There shall be submitted to the legislature a

 2  biennial budget for the board's operations at a time and in

 3  the manner provided by law.

 4         (4)  There shall be developed and implemented a

 5  training program for persons newly appointed to membership on

 6  the board. The program shall familiarize such persons with the

 7  substantive and procedural laws and rules which relate to the

 8  regulation under this chapter and with the structure of the

 9  department.

10         (5)  There may be informational newsletters, bulletins,

11  and brochures produced and provided to licensees and consumers

12  concerning regulation under this chapter.

13         (6)  The department shall allow applicants for new or

14  renewal licenses and current licensees to be screened by the

15  Title IV-D child support agency pursuant to s. 409.2598 to

16  ensure compliance with a support obligation. The purpose of

17  this subsection is to promote the public policy of this state

18  as established in s. 409.2551. The department shall, when

19  directed by the court, suspend or deny the license of any

20  licensee found to have a delinquent support obligation, as

21  defined in s. 409.2554. The department shall issue or

22  reinstate the license without additional charge to the

23  licensee when notified by the court that the licensee has

24  complied with the terms of the court order. The department

25  shall not be held liable for any license denial or suspension

26  resulting from the discharge of its duties under this

27  subsection.

28         (7)  Any person retained by the department under

29  contract to review materials, make site visits, or provide

30  expert testimony regarding any complaint or application filed

31  with the department, relating to regulation under this


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 1  chapter, shall be considered an agent of the department in

 2  determining the state insurance coverage and sovereign

 3  immunity protection applicability of ss. 284.31 and 768.28.

 4         (8)  Funds due from any licensee as a result of

 5  disciplinary settlements under this chapter may be directed by

 6  the board and department to use in support of training of

 7  examiners, investigators, and inspectors concerning

 8  examinations, investigations and inspections under this

 9  chapter, and to the conduct of examinations and investigations

10  under this chapter, in order to enhance oversight and

11  enforcement of laws and regulations governing the activities

12  of licensees under this chapter.

13         (9)  Any application under this chapter which must be

14  reviewed and acted upon by the board under this chapter, shall

15  be acted upon by the board at a regularly scheduled board

16  meeting, and such application must be complete at least 25

17  days in advance of a regularly scheduled board meeting to be

18  considered by the board at such board meeting. The time for

19  approval of completed applications under s. 120.60, shall be

20  deemed tolled between the date the application is complete,

21  and the next regularly scheduled board meeting at which the

22  application may be considered by the board.

23         (10)  The board may establish by rule procedures and

24  requirements for the appearance before the board of any

25  applicant or principal of an applicant, to stand for oral

26  interview by the board at a public meeting board, before an

27  application shall be deemed complete. Such rule may require

28  such appearance for all or specified categories of applicants

29  and may provide criteria for determining when such appearance

30  shall be required.

31  


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 1         (11)  In any instance in which a licensee or applicant

 2  under this chapter is required to be in compliance with a

 3  particular provision by, on, or before a certain date, and if

 4  that date occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday,

 5  then the licensee or applicant is deemed to be in compliance

 6  with the specific date requirement if the required action

 7  occurs on the first succeeding day which is not a Saturday,

 8  Sunday, or legal holiday.

 9         (12)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any

10  elected official who is licensed pursuant to this chapter may

11  hold employment for compensation with any public agency

12  concurrent with such public service. Such dual service shall

13  be disclosed according to any disclosure required by

14  applicable law.

15         (13)  No application for any approval by the board may

16  come before the board for final or other action, nor shall

17  action by the board be taken as to any application, except

18  upon presentation and recommendation by the department.

19         (14)  The department shall have standing to appear as a

20  party litigant in any judicial proceeding for the purpose of

21  enforcing this chapter or for the protection Florida residents

22  from the effects of any violation of this chapter.

23         (15)  The Department of Legal Affairs shall provide

24  legal services to the board within the Department of Financial

25  Services, but the primary responsibility of the Department of

26  Legal Affairs shall be to represent the interests of the

27  citizens of the state by vigorously counseling the board with

28  respect to its obligations under the laws of the state.

29  Subject to the prior approval of the Attorney General, the

30  board may retain independent legal counsel to provide legal

31  


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 1  advice to the board on a specific matter. Fees and costs of

 2  such counsel shall be paid from the Regulatory Trust Fund.

 3         Section 38.  Section 497.168, Florida Statutes, is

 4  created to read:

 5         497.168  Members of Armed Forces in good standing with

 6  administrative boards.--

 7         (1)  Any reserve member of the Armed Forces of the

 8  United States, and any member of any element of the national

 9  guard, now or hereafter called to active duty in the Armed

10  Forces of the United States for a continuous period of 30 or

11  more days, who at the time of being called to active duty was

12  licensed in good standing to practice a profession under this

13  chapter, shall remain in good standing, without registering,

14  paying dues or fees, or being required to perform any other

15  act, as long as she or he remains on such active duty and for

16  a period of 6 months after discharge from active duty.

17         (2)  The licensing authority shall adopt rules

18  exempting the spouses of members of the Armed Forces of the

19  United States from licensure renewal provisions, but only in

20  cases of absence from the state because of their spouses' call

21  to active duty from the reserves or national guard.

22         Section 39.  Section 497.527, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 497.169, Florida Statutes, and amended

24  to read:

25         497.169 497.527  Private actions; actions on behalf of

26  consumers; attorneys fee Civil remedies.--

27         (1)  The Attorney General, or the department on behalf

28  of Florida residents, or any person may bring a civil action

29  against a person or company violating the provisions of this

30  chapter in the appropriate court of the county in which the

31  alleged violator resides or has his or her or his or its


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 1  principal place of business or in the county wherein the

 2  alleged violation occurred. Upon adverse adjudication, the

 3  defendant shall be liable for actual damages caused by such

 4  violation. The court may, as provided by common law, award

 5  punitive damages and may provide such equitable relief as it

 6  deems proper or necessary, including enjoining the defendant

 7  from further violations of this chapter.

 8         (2)  In any civil litigation resulting from a

 9  transaction involving a violation of this chapter, the court

10  may award to the prevailing party, after judgment in the trial

11  court and exhaustion of any appeal, reasonable attorney's fees

12  and costs from the nonprevailing party in an amount to be

13  determined by the trial court. Any award of attorney's fees or

14  costs shall become a part of the judgment and shall be subject

15  to execution as the law allows. 

16         (3)  The provisions of this chapter are cumulative to

17  rights under the general civil and common law, and no action

18  of the department may abrogate such rights to damages or other

19  relief in any court.

20         Section 40.  Section 497.531, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 497.170, Florida Statutes, to read:

22         497.170 497.531  Unauthorized arrangements.--

23         (1)  Any arrangement to provide merchandise or services

24  as defined in this chapter, by which payment for such

25  merchandise or services is to be paid for through a financial

26  arrangement, other than as authorized pursuant to this

27  chapter, in which the provider of the merchandise or services

28  is a beneficiary, party, agent, or owner is in violation of

29  this chapter.

30         (2)  Any person who provides merchandise or services

31  and who knowingly becomes a beneficiary, agent, party, or


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 1  coowner as described in subsection (1) is in violation of this

 2  chapter.

 3         Section 41.  Part II of chapter 497, consisting of

 4  sections 497.260, 497.261, 497.262, 497.263, 497.264, 497.265,

 5  497.266, 497.267, 497.268, 497.269, 497.270, 497.271, 497.272,

 6  497.273, 497.274, 497.275, 497.276, 497.277, 497.278, 497.280,

 7  497.281, 497.282, 497.283, 497.284, 497.285, 497.286, and

 8  497.287, is created to read:

 9                             PART II

10                       CEMETERY REGULATION

11         Section 42.  Section 497.003, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 497.260, Florida Statutes, and amended

13  to read:

14         497.260 497.003  Cemeteries; exemption; investigation

15  and mediation.--

16         (1)  The provisions of this chapter relating to

17  cemeteries and all rules adopted pursuant thereto shall apply

18  to all cemeteries except for:

19         (a)  Religious institution cemeteries of less than 5

20  acres which provide only single-level ground burial.

21         (b)  County and municipal cemeteries.

22         (c)  Community and nonprofit association cemeteries

23  which provide only single-level ground burial and do not sell

24  burial spaces or burial merchandise.

25         (d)  Cemeteries owned and operated or dedicated by a

26  religious institution prior to June 23, 1976.

27         (e)  Cemeteries beneficially owned and operated since

28  July 1, 1915, by a fraternal organization or its corporate

29  agent.

30         (f)  A columbarium consisting of less than one-half

31  acre which is owned by and immediately contiguous to an


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 1  existing religious institution facility and is subject to

 2  local government zoning. The religious institution

 3  establishing such a columbarium shall ensure that the

 4  columbarium is perpetually kept and maintained in a manner

 5  consistent with the intent of this chapter. If the religious

 6  institution relocates, the religious institution shall

 7  relocate all of the urns and remains placed in the columbarium

 8  which were placed therein during its use by the religious

 9  institution.

10         (g)  Family cemeteries of less than 2 acres which do

11  not sell burial spaces or burial merchandise.

12         (h)  A mausoleum consisting of 2 acres or less which is

13  owned by and immediately contiguous to an existing religious

14  institution facility and is subject to local government

15  zoning. The religious institution establishing such a

16  mausoleum must ensure that the mausoleum is kept and

17  maintained in a manner consistent with the intent of this

18  chapter and limit its availability to members of the religious

19  institution. The religious institution establishing such a

20  mausoleum must have been incorporated for at least 25 years

21  and must have sufficient funds in an endowment fund to cover

22  the costs of construction of the mausoleum.

23         (2)  Section 497.276(1) 497.309(1) as to burial

24  records, and ss. 497.164, 497.152(1)(d), 497.280, and 497.284

25  497.321, 497.325, 497.341, and 497.345 apply to all cemeteries

26  in this state.

27         (3)  All cemeteries exempted under this chapter which

28  are in excess of 5 acres must submit to the following

29  investigation and mediation procedure by the department in the

30  event of a consumer complaint:

31  


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 1         (a)  The exempt cemetery shall make every effort to

 2  first resolve a consumer complaint;

 3         (b)  If the complaint is not resolved, the exempt

 4  cemetery shall advise the consumer of the right to seek

 5  investigation and mediation by the department;

 6         (c)  If the department receives a complaint, it shall

 7  attempt to resolve it telephonically with the parties

 8  involved;

 9         (d)  If the complaint still is not resolved, the

10  department shall conduct an investigation and mediate the

11  complaint;

12         (e)  If the department conducts an onsite investigation

13  and face-to-face mediation with the parties, it may charge the

14  exempt cemetery a single investigation and mediation fee not

15  to exceed $300, which fee shall be set by rule and shall be

16  calculated on an hourly basis; and

17         (f)  If all attempts to resolve the consumer complaint

18  fail, the cemetery shall be subject to proceedings for

19  penalties and discipline under this chapter if it is

20  determined in a proceeding complying with chapter 120 that the

21  cemetery is guilty of fraud, deceit, theft, gross negligence,

22  incompetence, unjustified failure to honor its contracts, or

23  failure to adequately maintain its premises. The department

24  may file and serve on the cemetery an administrative complaint

25  and cause the matter to be prosecuted and may thereafter issue

26  and enforce its final order in the matter pursuant to chapter

27  120.

28         (4)  Any religious-institution-owned cemetery that is

29  exempt under paragraph (1)(d), is located in a county with a

30  population of at least 1.3 million persons on July 1, 1996,

31  and was selling merchandise and services to the religious


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 1  institution's members prior to October 1, 1993, may establish

 2  one additional exempt cemetery in such county after December

 3  31, 2020.

 4         (5)  Any religious-institution-owned cemetery exempt

 5  under subsection (1), except those cemeteries qualifying under

 6  paragraph (1)(d), which becomes affiliated with a commercial

 7  enterprise must meet the requirements of s. 497.263 497.201.

 8         (6)(a)  This subsection applies to all cemeteries in

 9  this state.

10         (b)  No cemetery company or other legal entity

11  conducting or maintaining any public or private cemetery may

12  deny burial space to any person because of race or color. A

13  cemetery company or other entity operating any cemetery may

14  designate parts of cemeteries or burial grounds for the

15  specific use of persons whose religious code requires

16  isolation. Religious institution cemeteries may limit burials

17  to members of the religious institution and their families.

18         (c)  Any cemetery company or other legal entity which

19  violates the provisions of this subsection commits a

20  misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.

21  775.083, and each violation of this section constitutes a

22  separate offense.

23         Section 43.  Section 497.004, Florida Statutes, is

24  renumbered as section 497.261, Florida Statutes, to read:

25         497.261 497.004  Existing companies, effect of this

26  chapter.--Cemetery companies existing on October 1, 1993,

27  shall continue in full force and effect but shall be operated

28  in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

29         Section 44.  Section 497.0255, Florida Statutes, is

30  renumbered as section 497.262, Florida Statutes, and amended

31  to read:


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 1         497.262 497.0255  Duty of care and maintenance of

 2  licensed cemetery.--Every cemetery company or other entity

 3  responsible for the care and maintenance of a licensed

 4  cemetery in this state shall ensure that the grounds,

 5  structures, and other improvements of the cemetery are well

 6  cared for and maintained in a proper and dignified condition.

 7  The licensing authority board shall adopt, by no later than

 8  July 1, 1999, such rules as are necessary to implement and

 9  enforce this section. In developing and adopting such

10  promulgating said rules, the licensing authority board may

11  define different classes of cemeteries or care and

12  maintenance, and may provide for different rules to apply to

13  each of said classes, if the designation of classes and the

14  application of different rules is in the public interest and

15  is supported by findings by the licensing authority board

16  based on evidence of industry practices, economic and physical

17  feasibility, location, or intended uses; provided, that the

18  rules shall provide minimum standards applicable to all

19  cemeteries. For example, and without limiting the generality

20  of the foregoing, the licensing authority board may determine

21  that a small rural cemetery with large trees and shade area

22  does not require, and may not be able to attain, the same

23  level of lawn care as a large urban cemetery with large open

24  grassy areas and sprinkler systems.

25         Section 45.  Section 497.201, Florida Statutes, is

26  renumbered as section 497.263, Florida Statutes, and amended

27  to read:

28         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

29         s. 497.201, F.S., for present text.)

30         497.263  Cemetery companies; license required;

31  licensure requirements and procedures.--


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 1         (1)  LICENSE REQUIRED.--No person may operate a

 2  cemetery without first obtaining a license under this section,

 3  unless specifically exempted from this chapter.

 4         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

 5         (a)  A person seeking a cemetery license under this

 6  section shall apply for such licensure using forms and

 7  procedures prescribed by rule.

 8         (b)  The applicant shall be corporation or a

 9  partnership, or a limited liability company formed prior to

10  January 1, 2005 which limited liability company already holds

11  a license under this chapter.

12         (c)  The application shall require the name, principle

13  place of business, date of formation, and federal tax

14  identification number, of the applicant.

15         (d)  The application shall require such historical

16  sketches and audited or unaudited financial statements

17  concerning the applicant and each principal of applicant, as

18  the licensing authority may require by rule.

19         (e)  The application shall state any and all names

20  under which the cemetery may do business if licensed, if

21  different from applicant's name.

22         (f)  The application shall state the exact location of

23  the proposed cemetery.

24         (g)  The proposed cemetery must contain at least 30

25  contiguous acres. The application shall state the exact number

26  of acres in the proposed cemetery.

27         (h)  The applicant must have a net worth of $50,000, as

28  attested to by a sworn statement signed by all officers of

29  applicant. Such net worth must be continually maintained as a

30  condition of licensure.

31  


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 1         (i)  The application shall be accompanied by such

 2  description of the proposed financial structure of the

 3  cemetery, as the licensing authority may require by rule.

 4         (j)  The application shall be accompanied by a legal

 5  description of the cemetery.

 6         (k)  The application shall be accompanied by such maps

 7  or surveys of the proposed cemetery, and maps showing the

 8  location of the proposed cemetery in the local area, as the

 9  licensing authority may require by rule, and the licensing

10  authority may by rule require such maps or surveys of the

11  cemetery to be prepared by a licensed Florida professional

12  surveyor.

13         (l)  The application shall include such description of

14  the development plans for the proposed cemetery, as the

15  licensing authority may require by rule.

16         (m)  The application shall require the applicant to

17  disclose whether the applicant or any principal of applicant

18  has ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea

19  of no contest to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any

20  jurisdiction. The licensing authority may require by rule

21  additional information to be provided concerning any

22  affirmative answers.

23         (n)  The application shall require the applicant to

24  disclose whether the applicant or any principal of applicant

25  has ever had a license or the authority to practice a

26  profession or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied, or

27  otherwise acted against or disciplined, by the licensing

28  authority of any jurisdiction. The licensing authority may

29  require by rule additional information to be provided

30  concerning any affirmative answers. A licensing authority's

31  acceptance of a relinquishment of licensure, stipulation,


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 1  consent order, or other settlement, offered in response to or

 2  in anticipation of the filing of charges against the license,

 3  shall be construed as action against the license. The

 4  licensing authority may require by rule additional information

 5  to be provided concerning any affirmative answers.

 6         (o)  The application shall require the applicant and

 7  applicant's principals to provide fingerprints in accordance

 8  with part I of this chapter.

 9         (p)  The applicant shall demonstrate by clear and

10  convincing evidence that the applicant has the ability,

11  experience, financial stability, and integrity to operate a

12  cemetery, and that its principals are of good character.

13         (q)  The application shall be signed by the president

14  of the applicant.

15         (r)  The application shall be accompanied by a

16  nonrefundable application fee of $5,000.

17         (s)  The licensing authority may establish by rule

18  requirements for the appearance before the licensing authority

19  of the applicant and the applicant's principals, to stand for

20  oral interview by the licensing authority at a public

21  licensing authority meeting, before the application shall be

22  deemed complete.

23         (3)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS.--If the licensing

24  authority finds that the applicant meets the criteria

25  established in subsection (2), the applicant shall be notified

26  that a license will be issued when all of the following

27  conditions are satisfied:

28         (a)  The establishment of a care and maintenance trust

29  fund containing not less than $50,000 has been certified by a

30  trust company operating pursuant to chapter 660, a state or

31  national bank holding trust powers, or a savings and loan


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 1  association holding trust powers as provided in s. 497.458,

 2  pursuant to a trust agreement approved by the licensing

 3  authority. The $50,000 required for the care and maintenance

 4  trust fund shall be over and above the $50,000 net worth

 5  required by subsection (2).

 6         (b)  The applicant files with the licensing authority

 7  an opinion or certification from a Florida attorney in good

 8  standing, or a Florida title company, in a form acceptable to

 9  the licensing authority, that the applicant holds unencumbered

10  fee simple title to all land identified in the application.

11         (c)  The applicant obtains approval of the local zoning

12  authorities regarding the cemetery, and files with the

13  licensing authority evidence satisfactory to the licensing

14  authority of such approval, or if no approval by local zoning

15  authorities is required, such approval of residents adjacent

16  to the proposed cemetery as the licensing authority may

17  require by rule.

18         (d)  The licensing authority determines that the

19  applicant has designated as general manager of the cemetery a

20  person of integrity, and who has 3 years of cemetery

21  management experience as defined by rule of the licensing

22  authority, and who has the ability to operate a cemetery. 

23         (e)  Evidence satisfactory to the licensing authority

24  that applicant has fully developed not less than 2 acres for

25  use as burial space, such development to include a paved road

26  from a public roadway to the developed section.

27         (f)  Regarding the cemetery land identified in the

28  application, the applicant has recorded, and provides the

29  licensing authority with a written attestation of such

30  recording signed by a licensed Florida attorney, in the public

31  records of real estate in the county in which the cemetery


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 1  land is located, a notice which contains the following

 2  language:

 3                              NOTICE

 4         The property described herein shall not be

 5         sold, conveyed, leased, mortgaged, or

 6         encumbered without the prior written approval

 7         of the Department of Financial Services, as

 8         provided in Chapter 497, Florida Statutes.

 9  

10  Such notice shall be clearly printed in boldfaced type of not

11  less than 10 points and may be included on the face of the

12  deed of conveyance to the licensee or may be contained in a

13  separate recorded instrument which contains a description of

14  the property.

15         (4)  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.--There shall be issued a

16  license to operate a cemetery company to any applicant who,

17  within 12 months after notice that a license may be issued,

18  meets the criteria of subsection (3). The licensing authority

19  may, for good cause shown, grant up to two extensions of the

20  12-month period within which the applicant must meet the

21  criteria of subsection (3).

22         Section 46.  Section 497.205, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 497.264, Florida Statutes, and amended

24  to read:

25         497.264 497.205  License not assignable or

26  transferable.--

27         (1)  A license issued to operate a cemetery pursuant to

28  this chapter is not transferable or assignable, and a licensee

29  may not develop or operate any cemetery authorized by this

30  chapter at any location other than that contained in the

31  application for the license.


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 1         (2)  Any person or entity that seeks to purchase or

 2  otherwise acquire control of any cemetery licensed under this

 3  chapter, shall first apply to the licensing authority and

 4  obtain approval of such purchase or change in control.

 5         (a)  The licensing authority may adopt rules

 6  establishing forms and procedures for such applications.

 7         (b)  The application shall state the name and address

 8  of the licensed cemetery to which the application relates.

 9         (c)  For applications by a natural person, the

10  application shall state the applicant's name, residence

11  address, address of principal office or place of employment,

12  and social security number.

13         (d)  For applications by an entity, the application

14  shall state applicant's name, address of principal place of

15  business or headquarters offices, the names and titles of all

16  officers of applicant, applicant's state of domicile and date

17  of formation, and applicant's federal tax identification

18  number.

19         (e)  The application shall require such historical

20  sketches and audited or unaudited financial statements

21  concerning the applicant and each principal of the applicant,

22  as the licensing authority may require by rule.

23         (f)  The applicant must have a net worth of $50,000, as

24  attested to by a sworn statement signed by applicant if a

25  natural person, otherwise by all officers of applicant. Such

26  net worth must be continually maintained as a condition of

27  licensure of the cemetery if the application is approved.

28         (g)  The application shall include such description of

29  the development plans the applicant has for the proposed

30  cemetery, as the licensing authority may require by rule.

31  


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 1         (h)  The application shall require the applicant to

 2  disclose whether the applicant or any principal of applicant

 3  has ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea

 4  of no contest to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any

 5  jurisdiction. The licensing authority may require by rule

 6  additional information to be provided concerning any

 7  affirmative answers.

 8         (i)  The application shall require the applicant to

 9  disclose whether the applicant or any principal of applicant

10  has ever had a license or the authority to practice a

11  profession or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied, or

12  otherwise acted against or disciplined, by the licensing

13  authority of any jurisdiction. The licensing authority may

14  require by rule additional information to be provided

15  concerning any affirmative answers. A licensing authority's

16  acceptance of a relinquishment of licensure, stipulation,

17  consent order, or other settlement, offered in response to or

18  in anticipation of the filing of charges against the license,

19  shall be construed as action against the license. The

20  licensing authority may require by rule additional information

21  to be provided concerning any affirmative answers.

22         (j)  The application shall require the applicant and

23  applicant's principals to provide fingerprints in accordance

24  with part I of this chapter.

25         (k)  The applicant shall demonstrate by clear and

26  convincing evidence that the applicant has the ability,

27  experience, financial stability, and integrity to operate a

28  cemetery, and if the applicant is an entity, that applicant's

29  principals are of good character.

30  

31  


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 1         (l)  The application shall be signed by the applicant

 2  if a natural person, otherwise by the president of the

 3  applicant.

 4         (m)  The application shall be accompanied by a

 5  nonrefundable application fee of $5,000; provided, the fee

 6  shall be $500 if the application is in regards to a change in

 7  ownership that will not be accompanied by any change in

 8  ultimate control.

 9         (n)  The licensing authority may establish by rule

10  requirements for the appearance before the licensing authority

11  of the applicant and the applicant's principals, to stand for

12  oral interview by the licensing authority at a public

13  licensing authority meeting, before the application shall be

14  deemed complete.

15         (o)  A completed application shall be approved if the

16  requirements of this section are met.

17         (2)  Any person who seeks to purchase or acquire

18  control of an existing licensed cemetery shall first apply to

19  the board for approval of the proposed change of ownership.

20  The application shall contain the name and address of the

21  proposed new owner, a financial statement signed by all

22  officers of the company attesting to a net worth of at least

23  $50,000, and other information required by the board. The

24  board may approve a change of ownership only after it has

25  conducted an investigation of the applicant and determined

26  that the proposed new owner is qualified by character,

27  experience, and financial responsibility to control and

28  operate the cemetery in a legal and proper manner. The

29  department may examine the records of the cemetery company as

30  part of the investigation in accordance with this chapter. The

31  application shall be accompanied by an investigation fee of


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 1  $5,000. Upon consummation of the purchase or acquisition of

 2  control and upon receipt of all documents required by the

 3  board, the department shall issue the new license for that

 4  cemetery effective on the date of that purchase or acquisition

 5  of control.

 6         Section 47.  Section 497.213, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 497.265, Florida Statutes, and amended

 8  to read:

 9         497.265 497.213  Annual license fees.--

10         (1)  The department shall collect from each cemetery

11  company operating under the provisions of this chapter an

12  annual license fee as follows:

13         (a)  For a cemetery with less than $25,000 annual gross

14  sales......................................................$250.

15         (b)  For a cemetery with at least $25,000 but less than

16  $100,000 annual gross

17  sales................................$350.

18         (c)  For a cemetery with annual gross sales of at least

19  $100,000 but less than

20  $250,000............................$600.

21         (d)  For a cemetery with annual gross sales of at least

22  $250,000 but less than

23  $500,000............................$900.

24         (e)  For a cemetery with annual gross sales of at least

25  $500,000 but less than

26  $750,000..........................$1,350.

27         (f)  For a cemetery with annual gross sales of at least

28  $750,000 but less than $1

29  million........................$2,250.

30  

31  


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 1         (g)  For a cemetery with annual gross sales of at least

 2  $1 million but less than $5

 3  million.........................$3,250.

 4         (h)  For a cemetery with annual gross sales of $5

 5  million or

 6  more.....................................................$4,900.

 7         (2)  An application for license renewal shall be

 8  submitted, along with the applicable license fee, on or before

 9  December 31 each year in the case of an existing cemetery

10  company and before any sale of cemetery property in the case

11  of a new cemetery company or a change of ownership or control

12  pursuant to  s. 497.264 ss. 497.205 and 497.209. If the

13  renewal application and fee are not received by December 31,

14  the department shall collect a penalty in the amount of $200

15  per month or fraction of a month for each month delinquent.

16  For the purposes of this subsection, a renewal application and

17  fee submitted by mail shall be considered timely submitted and

18  received if postmarked by December 31 of the applicable year.

19         Section 48.  Section 497.237, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 497.266, Florida Statutes, and amended

21  to read:

22         497.266 497.237  Care and maintenance trust fund;

23  remedy of department for noncompliance.--

24         (1)  No cemetery company may establish a cemetery, or

25  operate a cemetery if already established, without providing

26  for the future care and maintenance of the cemetery, for which

27  a care and maintenance trust fund shall be established, to be

28  known as "the care and maintenance trust fund of _____." The

29  trust fund shall be established with a trust company operating

30  pursuant to chapter 660, with a state or national bank holding

31  trust powers, or with a federal or state savings and loan


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 1  association holding trust powers. Trust funds which are with a

 2  state or national bank or savings and loan association

 3  licensed in this state on October 1, 1993, shall remain in

 4  force; however, when the amount of any such trust fund exceeds

 5  the amount that is insured by an agency of the Federal

 6  Government, the cemetery company shall transfer that trust

 7  fund to a trust company operating pursuant to chapter 660, to

 8  a state or national bank holding trust powers, or to a federal

 9  or state savings and loan association holding trust powers.

10         (2)  The cemetery company may appoint a person to

11  advise the trustee in the investment of the trust fund. The

12  licensing authority board must approve the appointment of the

13  initial trustee, and any subsequent changes of the trustee

14  shall also be approved by the licensing authority, pursuant to

15  procedures and utilizing forms as specified by rule board. If

16  a cemetery company refuses or otherwise fails to provide or

17  maintain an adequate care and maintenance trust fund in

18  accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the licensing

19  authority board, after reasonable notice, shall enforce

20  compliance. However, a nonprofit cemetery corporation which

21  has been incorporated and engaged in the cemetery business

22  prior to and continuously since 1915 and which has current

23  trust assets exceeding $2 million is not required to designate

24  a corporate trustee. The trust fund agreement shall specify

25  the following: the name, location, and address of both the

26  licensee and the trustee, the terms and conditions of the

27  trust, a statement that the trust is established pursuant to

28  ss. 497.266 and 497.268, and showing the date of agreement,

29  together with the percentages required to be deposited

30  pursuant to this chapter.

31  


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 1         (3)  No person may withdraw or transfer any portion of

 2  the corpus of the care and maintenance trust fund without

 3  first obtaining written consent from the licensing authority

 4  board. Funds deposited pursuant to this chapter may not be

 5  loaned to any cemetery company or person who is directly or

 6  indirectly engaged in the burial, funeral home, or cemetery

 7  business.

 8         (4)  The trustee of the trust established pursuant to

 9  this section may only invest in investments and loan trust

10  funds, as prescribed in s. 497.458 497.417. The trustee shall

11  take title to the property conveyed to the trust for the

12  purposes of investing, protecting, and conserving it for the

13  cemetery company; collecting income; and distributing the

14  principal and income as prescribed in this chapter. The

15  cemetery company is prohibited from sharing in the discharge

16  of the trustee's responsibilities under this subsection,

17  except that the cemetery company may request the trustee to

18  invest in tax-free investments.

19         Section 49.  Section 497.241, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 497.267, Florida Statutes, to read:

21         497.267 497.241  Disposition of income of care and

22  maintenance trust fund; notice to purchasers and

23  depositors.--The net income of the care and maintenance trust

24  fund shall be used solely for the care and maintenance of the

25  cemetery, including maintenance of monuments, which

26  maintenance shall not be deemed to include the cleaning,

27  refinishing, repairing, or replacement of monuments; for

28  reasonable costs of administering the care and maintenance;

29  and for reasonable costs of administering the trust fund. At

30  the time of making a sale or receiving an initial deposit, the

31  cemetery company shall deliver to the person to whom the sale


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 1  is made, or who makes a deposit, a written instrument which

 2  shall specifically state the purposes for which the income of

 3  the trust fund shall be used.

 4         Section 50.  Section 497.245, Florida Statutes, is

 5  renumbered as section 497.268, Florida Statutes, to read:

 6         497.268 497.245  Care and maintenance trust fund,

 7  percentage of payments for burial rights to be deposited.--

 8         (1)  Each cemetery company shall set aside and deposit

 9  in its care and maintenance trust fund the following

10  percentages or amounts for all sums received from sales of

11  burial rights:

12         (a)  For burial rights, 10 percent of all payments

13  received; however, for sales made after September 30, 1993, no

14  deposit shall be less than $25 per grave. For each burial

15  right which is provided without charge, the deposit to the

16  fund shall be $25.

17         (b)  For mausoleums or columbaria, 10 percent of

18  payments received.

19         (c)  For general endowments for the care and

20  maintenance of the cemetery, the full amount of sums received

21  when received.

22         (d)  For special endowments for a specific lot or grave

23  or a family mausoleum, memorial, marker, or monument, the

24  cemetery company may set aside the full amount received for

25  this individual special care in a separate trust fund or by a

26  deposit to a savings account in a bank or savings and loan

27  association located within and authorized to do business in

28  the state; however, if the licensee does not set up a separate

29  trust fund or savings account for the special endowment, the

30  full amount thereof shall be deposited into the care and

31  maintenance trust fund as required of general endowments.


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 1         (2)  Deposits to the care and maintenance trust fund

 2  shall be made by the cemetery company not later than 30 days

 3  following the close of the calendar month in which any payment

 4  was received; however, when such payments are received in

 5  installments, the percentage of the installment payment placed

 6  in trust must be identical to the percentage which the payment

 7  received bears to the total cost for the burial rights. Trust

 8  income may be used to pay for all usual and customary services

 9  for the operation of a trust account, including, but not

10  limited to: reasonable trustee and custodian fees, investment

11  adviser fees, allocation fees, and taxes. If the net income is

12  not sufficient to pay the fees and other expenses, the fees

13  and other expenses shall be paid by the cemetery company.

14  Capital gains taxes shall be paid from the corpus.

15         (3)  Any payments made to the care and maintenance

16  trust fund on contracts which are canceled shall be credited

17  against future obligations to the care and maintenance trust

18  fund, provided they have been refunded to the purchaser.

19         (4)  When a cemetery which is exempt from the

20  provisions of this chapter changes ownership so as to lose its

21  exempt status, it shall establish and maintain a care and

22  maintenance trust fund pursuant to this chapter. The initial

23  deposit for establishment of this trust fund shall be $25 per

24  space for all spaces either previously sold or contracted for

25  sale in the cemetery at the time of conversion or $50,000,

26  whichever is greater.

27         (5)  In each sales contract, reservation, or agreement

28  wherein burial rights are priced separately, the purchase

29  price of the burial rights shall be the only item subject to

30  care and maintenance trust fund deposits; but if the burial

31  rights are not priced separately, the full amount of the


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 1  contract, reservation, or agreement shall be subject to care

 2  and maintenance trust fund deposits as provided in this

 3  section, unless the purchase price of the burial rights can be

 4  determined from the accounting records of the cemetery

 5  company.

 6         (6)  If an installment contract or promissory note for

 7  the purchase of a burial space is sold or discounted to a

 8  third party, the entire amount due the care and maintenance

 9  trust fund shall be payable no later than 30 days following

10  the close of the calendar month in which the contract was sold

11  or discounted.

12         Section 51.  Section 497.249, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 497.269, Florida Statutes, and amended

14  to read:

15         497.269 497.249  Care and maintenance trust fund;

16  financial reports.--On or before April 1 of each year, the

17  trustee shall furnish adequate financial reports with respect

18  to the care and maintenance trust fund utilizing forms and

19  procedures specified by rule on forms provided by the

20  department. However, the department may require the trustee to

21  make such additional financial reports as it deems necessary.

22  In order to ensure that the proper deposits to the trust fund

23  have been made, the department shall examine the status of the

24  trust fund of the company on a semiannual basis for the first

25  2 years of the trust fund's existence.

26         Section 52.  Section 497.253, Florida Statutes, is

27  renumbered as section 497.270, Florida Statutes, and amended

28  to read:

29         497.270 497.253  Minimum acreage; sale or disposition

30  of cemetery lands.--

31  


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 1         (1)  No land in a licensed cemetery may be sold,

 2  mortgaged, leased, or encumbered without prior approval of the

 3  licensing authority pursuant to procedures specified by rule.

 4  Such approval shall not be given unless it be shown that such

 5  approval would be in the public interest. The licensing

 6  authority may adopt rules establishing criteria for approval

 7  of the sale, mortgaging, leasing, or encumbering of cemetery

 8  land. Each licensee shall set aside a minimum of 30 contiguous

 9  acres of land for use by the licensee as a cemetery and shall

10  not sell, mortgage, lease, or encumber that property without

11  prior written approval of the department.

12         (2)  Any lands owned by a licensee and dedicated for

13  use by it as a cemetery, which are in excess of a contiguous,

14  adjoining, or adjacent to the minimum of 30 contiguous acres

15  described in subsection (1), may be sold, conveyed, or

16  disposed of by the licensee, after obtaining written approval

17  pursuant to procedures and utilizing forms specified by rule

18  and consistent with of the department pursuant to subsection

19  (3), for use by the new owner for other purposes than as a

20  cemetery. All of the human remains which have been previously

21  interred therein shall first have been removed from the lands

22  proposed to be sold, conveyed, or disposed of; however, the

23  provisions of ss. 497.384 and 497.152(8)(e) 470.0295 and

24  497.515(7) must be complied with prior to any disinterment of

25  human remains. Any and all titles, interests, or burial rights

26  which may have been sold or contracted to be sold in lands

27  which are the subject of the sale shall be conveyed to and

28  revested in the licensee prior to consummation of any such

29  sale, conveyance, or disposition.

30         (3)(a)  If the property to be sold, conveyed, or

31  disposed of under subsection (2) has been or is being used for


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 1  the permanent interment of human remains, the applicant for

 2  approval of such sale, conveyance, or disposition shall cause

 3  to be published, at least once a week for 4 consecutive weeks,

 4  a notice meeting the standards of publication set forth in s.

 5  125.66(4)(b)2. The notice shall describe the property in

 6  question and the proposed noncemetery use and shall advise

 7  substantially affected persons that they may file a written

 8  request for a hearing pursuant to chapter 120, within 14 days

 9  after the date of last publication of the notice, with the

10  department if they object to granting the applicant's request

11  to sell, convey, or dispose of the subject property for

12  noncemetery uses.

13         (b)  If the property in question has never been used

14  for the permanent interment of human remains, no notice or

15  hearing is required.

16         (c)  If the property in question has been used for the

17  permanent interment of human remains, the department shall

18  approve the application, in writing, if it finds that it would

19  not be contrary to the public interest. In determining whether

20  to approve the application, the department shall consider any

21  evidence presented concerning the following:

22         1.  The historical significance of the subject

23  property, if any.

24         2.  The archaeological significance of the subject

25  property, if any.

26         3.  The public purpose, if any, to be served by the

27  proposed use of the subject property.

28         4.  The impact of the proposed change in use of the

29  subject property upon the reasonable expectations of the

30  families of the deceased regarding whether the cemetery

31  property was to remain as a cemetery in perpetuity.


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 1         5.  Whether any living relatives of the deceased

 2  actively oppose the relocation of their deceased's remains and

 3  the conversion of the subject property to noncemetery uses.

 4         6.  The elapsed time since the last interment in the

 5  subject property.

 6         7.  Any other factor enumerated in this chapter that

 7  the department considers relevant to the public interest.

 8         (d)  Any deed, mortgage, or other conveyance by a

 9  cemetery company or other owner pursuant to subsections (a)

10  and (c) above must contain a disclosure in the following or

11  substantially similar form:

12  

13  NOTICE: The property described herein was formerly used and

14  dedicated as a cemetery. Conveyance of this property and its

15  use for noncemetery purposes was authorized by the Florida

16  Department of Financial Services by Order No. _____, dated

17  _____.

18  

19         (e)  The department shall adopt such rules as are

20  necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

21         (4)  A licensee may convey and transfer to a

22  municipality or county its real and personal property,

23  together with moneys deposited in trust funds pursuant to this

24  chapter, provided the municipality or county will accept

25  responsibility for maintenance thereof and prior written

26  approval of the department is obtained.

27         (5)  The provisions of subsections (1) and (2) relating

28  to a requirement for minimum acreage shall not apply to any

29  cemetery company licensed by the department on or before July

30  1, 2001, which owns a total of less than 30 acres of land;

31  


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 1  however, no cemetery company shall dispose of any land without

 2  the prior written consent of the department.

 3         Section 53.  Section 497.255, Florida Statutes, is

 4  renumbered as section 497.271, Florida Statutes, and amended

 5  to read:

 6         497.271 497.255  Standards for construction and

 7  significant alteration or renovation of mausoleums and

 8  columbaria.--

 9         (1)  All newly constructed and significantly altered or

10  renovated mausoleums and columbaria must, in addition to

11  complying with applicable building codes, conform to the

12  standards adopted under this section.

13         (2)  The licensing authority board shall adopt, by no

14  later than July 1, 1999, rules establishing minimum standards

15  for all newly constructed and significantly altered or

16  renovated mausoleums and columbaria; however, in the case of

17  significant alterations or renovations to existing structures,

18  the rules shall apply only, when physically feasible, to the

19  newly altered or renovated portion of such structures, except

20  as specified in subsection (4). In developing and adopting

21  such promulgating said rules, the licensing authority board

22  may define different classes of structures or construction

23  standards, and may provide for different rules to apply to

24  each of said classes, if the designation of classes and the

25  application of different rules is in the public interest and

26  is supported by findings by the licensing authority board

27  based on evidence of industry practices, economic and physical

28  feasibility, location, or intended uses; provided, that the

29  rules shall provide minimum standards applicable to all

30  construction. For example, and without limiting the generality

31  of the foregoing, the licensing authority board may determine


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 1  that a small single-story ground level mausoleum does not

 2  require the same level of construction standards that a large

 3  multistory mausoleum might require; or that a mausoleum

 4  located in a low-lying area subject to frequent flooding or

 5  hurricane threats might require different standards than one

 6  located on high ground in an area not subject to frequent

 7  severe weather threats. The licensing authority board shall

 8  develop the rules in cooperation with, and with technical

 9  assistance from, the Florida Building Commission of the

10  Department of Community Affairs, to ensure that the rules are

11  in the proper form and content to be included as part of the

12  State Minimum Building Codes under part VII of chapter 553. If

13  the Florida Building Commission advises that some of the

14  standards proposed by the licensing authority board are not

15  appropriate for inclusion in such building codes, the

16  licensing authority board may choose to include those

17  standards in a distinct chapter of its rules entitled

18  "Non-Building-Code Standards for Mausoleums" or "Additional

19  Standards for Mausoleums," or other terminology to that

20  effect. If the licensing authority board elects to divide the

21  standards into two or more chapters, all such rules shall be

22  binding on licensees and others subject to the jurisdiction of

23  the licensing authority board, but only the chapter containing

24  provisions appropriate for building codes shall be transmitted

25  to the Florida Building Commission pursuant to subsection (3).

26  Such rules may be in the form of standards for design and

27  construction; methods, materials, and specifications for

28  construction; or other mechanisms. Such rules shall encompass,

29  at a minimum, the following standards:

30         (a)  No structure may be built or significantly altered

31  for use for interment, entombment, or inurnment purposes


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 1  unless constructed of such material and workmanship as will

 2  ensure its durability and permanence, as well as the safety,

 3  convenience, comfort, and health of the community in which it

 4  is located, as dictated and determined at the time by modern

 5  mausoleum construction and engineering science.

 6         (b)  Such structure must be so arranged that the

 7  exterior of any vault, niche, or crypt may be readily examined

 8  at any time by any person authorized by law to do so.

 9         (c)  Such structure must contain adequate provision for

10  drainage and ventilation.

11         (d)  Such structure must be of fire-resistant

12  construction. Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 553.895

13  and chapter 633, any mausoleum or columbarium constructed of

14  noncombustible materials, as defined in the Standard Building

15  Code, shall not require a sprinkler system.

16         (e)  Such structure must be resistant to hurricane and

17  other storm damage to the highest degree provided under

18  applicable building codes for buildings of that class.

19         (f)  Suitable provisions must be made for securely and

20  permanently sealing each crypt with durable materials after

21  the interment or entombment of human remains, so that no

22  effluvia or odors may escape therefrom except as provided by

23  design and sanitary engineering standards. Panels for

24  permanent seals must be solid and constructed of materials of

25  sufficient weight, permanence, density, imperviousness, and

26  strength as to ensure their durability and continued

27  functioning. Permanent crypt sealing panels must be securely

28  installed and set in with high quality fire-resistant,

29  resilient, and durable materials after the interment or

30  entombment of human remains. The outer or exposed covering of

31  each crypt must be of a durable, permanent, fire-resistant


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 1  material; however, plastic, fiberglass, and wood are not

 2  acceptable materials for such outer or exposed coverings.

 3         (g)  Interior and exterior fastenings for hangers,

 4  clips, doors, and other objects must be of copper, copper-base

 5  alloy, aluminum, or stainless steel of adequate gauges, or

 6  other materials established by rule which provide equivalent

 7  or better strength and durability, and must be properly

 8  installed.

 9         (3)  The licensing authority board shall transmit the

10  rules as adopted under subsection (2), hereinafter referred to

11  as the "mausoleum standards," to the Florida Building

12  Commission, which shall initiate rulemaking under chapter 120

13  to consider such mausoleum standards. If such mausoleum

14  standards are not deemed acceptable, they shall be returned by

15  the Florida Building Commission to the licensing authority

16  board with details of changes needed to make them acceptable.

17  If such mausoleum standards are acceptable, the Florida

18  Building Commission shall adopt a rule designating the

19  mausoleum standards as an approved revision to the State

20  Minimum Building Codes under part VII of chapter 553. When so

21  designated by the Florida Building Commission, such mausoleum

22  standards shall become a required element of the State Minimum

23  Building Codes under s. 553.73(2) and shall be transmitted to

24  each local enforcement agency, as defined in s. 553.71(5).

25  Such local enforcement agency shall consider and inspect for

26  compliance with such mausoleum standards as if they were part

27  of the local building code, but shall have no continuing duty

28  to inspect after final approval of the construction pursuant

29  to the local building code. Any further amendments to the

30  mausoleum standards shall be accomplished by the same

31  procedure. Such designated mausoleum standards, as from time


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 1  to time amended, shall be a part of the State Minimum Building

 2  Codes under s. 553.73 until the adoption and effective date of

 3  a new statewide uniform minimum building code, which may

 4  supersede the mausoleum standards as provided by the law

 5  enacting the new statewide uniform minimum building code.

 6         (4)  In addition to the rules adopted under subsection

 7  (2), the licensing authority board shall adopt rules providing

 8  that following all interments, inurnments, and entombments in

 9  mausoleums and columbaria occurring after the effective date

10  of such rules, whether newly constructed or existing, suitable

11  provision must be made, when physically feasible, for sealing

12  each crypt in accordance with standards adopted promulgated

13  pursuant to paragraph (2)(f).

14         (5)  For purposes of this section, "significant

15  alteration or renovation" means any addition, renovation, or

16  repair which results in the creation of new crypt or niche

17  spaces.

18         Section 54.  Section 497.257, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 497.272, Florida Statutes, and amended

20  to read:

21         497.272 497.257  Construction of mausoleums,

22  columbaria, and belowground crypts; preconstruction trust

23  fund; compliance requirement.--

24         (1)  A cemetery company shall start construction of

25  that section of a mausoleum, columbarium, or bank of

26  belowground crypts in which sales, contracts for sales,

27  reservations for sales, or agreements for sales are being made

28  within 4 years after the date of the first such sale or 50

29  percent of the mausoleum, columbarium, or belowground crypts

30  have been sold and the purchase price has been received,

31  whichever occurs first. The construction shall be completed


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 1  within 5 years after the date of the first sale made. However,

 2  extensions for completion, not to exceed 1 year, may be

 3  granted by the department for good cause shown. If the units

 4  have not been completely constructed at the time of need or

 5  the time specified herein, all moneys paid shall be refunded

 6  upon request, plus interest earned thereon for that portion of

 7  the moneys deposited in the trust fund and an amount equal to

 8  the interest that would have been earned on that portion of

 9  the moneys that were not in trust.

10         (2)  A cemetery company which plans to offer for sale

11  space in a section of a mausoleum, columbarium, or bank of

12  belowground crypts prior to construction shall establish a

13  preconstruction trust fund by written instrument. The

14  preconstruction trust fund shall be administered by a

15  corporate trustee and operated in conformity with s. 497.458

16  497.417. The preconstruction trust fund shall be separate from

17  any other trust funds that may be required by this chapter.

18  The written instrument by which the trustee of the

19  preconstruction trust fund agrees to act as trustee shall

20  contain a statement that the trust is created pursuant to the

21  requirements of this section. The trust shall be subject to

22  examination by the licensing authority.

23         (3)  Before a sale, contract for sale, reservation for

24  sale, or agreement for sale in a mausoleum section,

25  columbarium, or bank of belowground crypts may be made, the

26  cemetery company shall compute the amount to be deposited to

27  the preconstruction trust fund. The total amount to be

28  deposited in the fund for each unit of the project shall be

29  computed by dividing the cost of the project plus 10 percent

30  of the cost, as computed by a licensed contractor, engineer,

31  or architect, by the number of crypts in the section or bank


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 1  of belowground crypts or the number of niches in the

 2  columbarium. When payments are received in installments, the

 3  percentage of the installment payment placed in trust must be

 4  identical to the percentage which the payment received bears

 5  to the total cost of the contract, including other merchandise

 6  and services purchased. Preconstruction trust fund payments

 7  shall be made within 30 days after the end of the month in

 8  which payment is received.

 9         (4)  When the cemetery company delivers a completed

10  crypt or niche acceptable to the purchaser in lieu of the

11  crypt or niche purchased prior to construction, all sums

12  deposited to the preconstruction trust fund for that purchaser

13  shall be paid to the cemetery company.

14         (5)  Each cemetery company may negotiate, at the time

15  of establishment of the preconstruction trust fund, a

16  procedure for withdrawal of the escrowed funds as a part of

17  the construction cost of the mausoleum section, columbarium,

18  or bank of belowground crypts contemplated, subject to the

19  approval of the department. Upon completion of the mausoleum

20  section, columbarium, or bank of belowground crypts, the

21  cemetery company shall certify completion to the trustee and

22  shall be entitled to withdraw all funds deposited to the

23  account thereof.

24         (6)  If the mausoleum section, columbarium, or bank of

25  belowground crypts is not completed within the time limits set

26  out in this section, the trustee shall contract for and cause

27  the project to be completed and pay therefor from the trust

28  funds deposited to the project's account paying any balance,

29  less cost and expenses, to the cemetery company. The refund

30  provisions of subsection (1) apply only to the extent there

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 1  are funds remaining in excess of the costs to complete the

 2  facilities, prior to any payments to the cemetery company.

 3         (7)  On or before April 1 of each year, the trustee

 4  shall file with the licensing authority board in the form

 5  prescribed by rule the board a full and true statement as to

 6  the activities of any trust established by the board pursuant

 7  to this chapter for the preceding calendar year.

 8         (8)  In lieu of the payments outlined hereunder to the

 9  preconstruction trust fund, the cemetery company may deliver

10  to the department a performance bond in an amount and by a

11  surety company acceptable to the department.

12         Section 55.  Section 497.305, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 497.273, Florida Statutes, and amended

14  to read:

15         497.273 497.305  Cemetery companies; authorized

16  functions.--

17         (1)  Within the boundaries of the cemetery lands it

18  owns, a cemetery company may perform the following functions:

19         (a)  The exclusive care and maintenance of the

20  cemetery.

21         (b)  The exclusive interment, entombment, or inurnment

22  of human remains, including the exclusive right to open,

23  prepare for interment, and close all ground, mausoleum, and

24  urn burials. Each preneed contract for burial rights or

25  services shall disclose, pursuant to licensing authority board

26  rule, whether opening and closing of the burial space is

27  included in the contract and, if not, the current prices for

28  opening and closing and a statement that these prices are

29  subject to change. Each cemetery which sells preneed contracts

30  must offer opening and closing as part of a preneed contract.

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 1         (c)  The exclusive initial preneed and at-need sale of

 2  interment or burial rights in earth, mausoleum, crypt, niche,

 3  or columbarium interment; however, nothing herein shall limit

 4  the right of a person owning interment or burial rights to

 5  sell those rights to third parties subject to the transfer of

 6  title by the cemetery company.

 7         (d)  The adoption of bylaws regulating the activities

 8  conducted within its boundaries, provided that no funeral

 9  director licensed pursuant to this chapter 470 shall be denied

10  access to any cemetery to conduct a funeral for or supervise a

11  disinterment of human remains. All bylaws provided for herein

12  shall be subject to the approval of the licensing authority

13  board under the provisions of chapter 120 prior to becoming

14  effective. The licensing authority board shall not approve any

15  bylaw which unreasonably restricts the use of interment or

16  burial rights, which unreasonably restricts competition, or

17  which unreasonably increases the cost to the owner of

18  interment or burial rights in utilizing these rights.

19         (e)  The nonexclusive preneed and at-need sale of

20  monuments, memorials, markers, burial vaults, urns, flower

21  vases, floral arrangements, and other similar merchandise for

22  use within the cemetery.

23         (f)  The nonexclusive cremation of human remains,

24  subject to provisions of s. 497.606 470.025.

25         (g)  The entry into sales or management contracts with

26  other persons. The cemetery company shall be responsible for

27  the deposit of all moneys required by this part to be placed

28  in a trust fund.

29         (2)  A full disclosure shall be made for all fees

30  required for interment, entombment, or inurnment of human

31  remains.


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 1         (3)  A cemetery company may adopt bylaws establishing

 2  minimum standards for burial merchandise or the installation

 3  thereof. Such bylaws shall include minimum standards for

 4  access to install burial merchandise. A cemetery company must

 5  comply with its adopted bylaws.

 6         Section 56.  Section 497.274, Florida Statutes, is

 7  created to read:

 8         497.274  Standards for grave spaces.--

 9         (1)  A standard adult grave space shall measure at

10  least 42 inches in width and 96 inches in length, except for

11  preinstalled vaults in designated areas. For interments,

12  except cremated remains, the covering soil shall measure no

13  less than 12 inches from the top of the outer burial container

14  at time of interment, unless such level of soil is not

15  physically possible. In any interment, the family or next of

16  kin may waive the 12-inch coverage minimum.

17         (2)(a)  Prior to the sale of grave spaces in any

18  undeveloped areas of a licensed cemetery, the cemetery company

19  shall prepare a map documenting the establishment of

20  recoverable internal survey reference markers installed by the

21  cemetery company no more than 100 feet apart in the areas

22  planned for development. The internal reference markers shall

23  be established with reference to survey markers that are no

24  more than 200 feet apart which have been set by a surveyor and

25  mapper licensed under chapter 472 and documented in a

26  certified land survey. Both the map and the certified land

27  survey shall be maintained by the cemetery company and shall

28  be made available upon request to the department or members of

29  the public.

30         (b)  The map of the area proposed to be developed shall

31  show:


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 1         1.  The number of grave spaces available for sale.

 2         2.  The location of each grave space.

 3         3.  The number designation assigned to each grave

 4  space.

 5         4.  The dimensions of a standard adult grave space.

 6         (3)  Adult grave spaces established prior to October 1,

 7  2005, are not required to meet the standards established under

 8  this section for the dimensions or separation of grave spaces.

 9         Section 57.  Section 497.275, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         497.275  Identification of human remains in licensed

12  cemeteries.--On and after October 1, 2005, human remains

13  interred, entombed, or otherwise placed for final rest at

14  licensed cemeteries shall be identified as follows:

15         (1)  Each licensed cemetery shall place on the outer

16  burial container, cremation interment container, or other

17  container, or on the inside of a crypt or niche, a tag or a

18  permanent identifying marker containing the name of the

19  decedent and the date of death, if available. The materials

20  and location of the tag or marker shall be more specifically

21  described by rule.

22         (2)  Each licensed cemetery may rely entirely on the

23  identity stated on the burial transit permit or on the

24  identification supplied by a person licensed under part III of

25  this chapter to establish the identity of the dead human

26  remains delivered by such person for burial and shall not be

27  liable for any differences between the identity shown on the

28  burial transit permit or other identification and the actual

29  identity of the dead human remains delivered by such person

30  and buried in the cemetery.

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 1         Section 58.  Section 497.309, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.276, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         497.276 497.309  Records.--

 5         (1)  A record shall be kept of every burial in the

 6  cemetery of a cemetery company, showing the date of burial and

 7  the name of the person buried, together with lot, plot, and

 8  space in which the burial was made. All financial records of

 9  the cemetery company shall be available at its principal place

10  of business in this state and shall be readily available at

11  all reasonable times for examination by the department.

12         (2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1),

13  the licensing authority board may, upon request, authorize a

14  cemetery company to maintain its financial records at a

15  location other than its principal place of business and may,

16  if necessary, require the company to make its books, accounts,

17  records, and documents available at a reasonable and

18  convenient location in this state.

19         (3)  The licensing authority board may prescribe by

20  rule the minimum information to be shown in the books,

21  accounts, records, and documents of a cemetery company to

22  enable the department to determine the company's compliance

23  with this chapter, and may prescribe financial statements that

24  shall be prepared annually by licensed cemetery companies.

25         Section 59.  Section 497.313, Florida Statutes, is

26  renumbered as section 497.277, Florida Statutes, to read:

27         497.277 497.313  Other charges.--Other than the fees

28  for the sale of burial rights, burial merchandise, and burial

29  services, no other fee may be directly or indirectly charged,

30  contracted for, or received by a cemetery company as a

31  


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 1  condition for a customer to use any burial right, burial

 2  merchandise, or burial service, except for:

 3         (1)  Charges paid for opening and closing a grave and

 4  vault installation.

 5         (2)  Charges paid for transferring burial rights from

 6  one purchaser to another; however, no such fee may exceed $50.

 7         (3)  Charges for sales, documentary excise, and other

 8  taxes actually and necessarily paid to a public official,

 9  which charges must be supported in fact.

10         (4)  Charges for credit life and credit disability

11  insurance, as requested by the purchaser, the premiums for

12  which may not exceed the applicable premiums chargeable in

13  accordance with the rates filed with the Office of Insurance

14  Regulation of the Financial Services Commission.

15         (5)  Charges for interest on unpaid balances pursuant

16  to chapter 687.

17         Section 60.  Section 497.317, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 497.278, Florida Statutes, to read:

19         497.278 497.317  Monuments; installation fees.--

20         (1)  No cemetery company may charge a fee for the

21  installation of a monument purchased or obtained from and to

22  be installed by a person or firm other than the cemetery

23  company or its agents.

24         (2)  To verify that a monument is installed on the

25  proper grave in accordance with cemetery bylaws, rules, or

26  regulations, the cemetery company shall mark the place on the

27  grave where the marker or monument is to be installed and

28  shall inspect the installation when completed. Nothing in this

29  subsection is intended to imply or require that a cemetery

30  company shall have to lay out or engineer a grave site or

31  grave sites for the installation of a marker or monument.


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 1         (3)  A cemetery company may not require any person or

 2  firm that installs, places, or sets a monument to obtain any

 3  form of insurance, bond, or surety or make any form of pledge,

 4  deposit, or monetary guarantee as a condition for entry on or

 5  access to cemetery property.

 6         Section 61.  Section 497.325, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 497.280, Florida Statutes, and amended

 8  to read:

 9         497.280 497.325  Illegal tying arrangements.--

10         (1)  No person authorized to sell grave space may tie

11  the purchase of any grave space to the purchase of a monument

12  from or through the seller of any other designated person or

13  corporation.

14         (2)(a)  Noncemetery licensed persons and firms shall

15  have the right to sell monuments and to perform or provide on

16  cemetery property foundation, preparation, and installation

17  services for monuments. However, a cemetery company or any

18  other entity owning and operating a cemetery may establish

19  reasonable rules regarding the style and size of a monument or

20  its foundation, provided such rules are applicable to all

21  monuments from whatever source obtained and are enforced

22  uniformly as to all monuments. Such rules shall be

23  conspicuously posted and readily accessible to inspection and

24  copy by interested persons.

25         (b)  No person who is authorized to sell grave space

26  and no cemetery company or other entity owning and operating a

27  cemetery may:

28         1.  Require the payment of a setting or service charge,

29  by whatever name known, from third party installers for the

30  placement of a monument;

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 1         2.  Refuse to provide care or maintenance for any

 2  portion of a gravesite on which a monument has been placed; or

 3         3.  Require waiver of Waive liability with respect to

 4  damage caused by cemetery employees or agents to a monument

 5  after installation,

 6  

 7  where the monument or installation service is not purchased

 8  from the person authorized to sell grave space or the cemetery

 9  company providing grave space or from or through any other

10  person or corporation designated by the person authorized to

11  sell grave space or the cemetery company providing grave

12  space. No cemetery company may be held liable for the improper

13  installation of a monument where the monument is not installed

14  by the cemetery company or its agents.

15         (3)  No program offering free burial rights may be

16  conditioned by any requirement to purchase additional burial

17  rights, funeral merchandise, or services. Any program offering

18  free burial rights shall comply with s. 817.415.

19         Section 62.  Section 497.329, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 497.281, Florida Statutes, and amended

21  to read:

22         497.281 497.329  Licensure Registration of brokers of

23  burial rights.--

24         (1)  No person shall receive compensation to act as a

25  third party to the sale or transfer of three or more burial

26  rights in a 12-month period unless the person pays a license

27  registration fee as determined by licensing authority rule but

28  not to exceed $250 of $150 and is licensed registered with the

29  department as a burial rights broker in accordance with this

30  section.

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 1         (2)  The department, by rule, shall provide for the

 2  biennial renewal of licenses under this section registrants

 3  and a renewal fee as determined by licensing authority rule

 4  but not to exceed $250 of $100.

 5         (3)  This section shall not apply to persons otherwise

 6  licensed or registered pursuant to this chapter.

 7         (4)  The licensing authority may by rule specify

 8  records of brokerage transactions which shall be required to

 9  be maintained by burial rights brokers licensed under this

10  subsection, and which shall be subject to inspection by the

11  department.

12         Section 63.  Section 497.333, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 497.282, Florida Statutes, and amended

14  to read:

15         497.282 497.333  Disclosure of information to

16  public.--A licensee offering to provide burial rights,

17  merchandise, or services to the public shall:

18         (1)  Provide by telephone, upon request, accurate

19  information regarding the retail prices of burial merchandise

20  and services offered for sale by the licensee.

21         (2)  Fully disclose all regularly offered services and

22  merchandise prior to the selection of burial services or

23  merchandise. The full disclosure required shall identify the

24  prices of all burial rights, services, and merchandise

25  provided by the licensee.

26         (3)  Not make any false or misleading statements of the

27  legal requirement as to the necessity of a casket or outer

28  burial container.

29         (4)  Provide a good faith estimate of all fees and

30  costs the customer will incur to use any burial rights,

31  merchandise, or services purchased.


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 1         (5)  Provide to the customer, upon request, a current

 2  copy of the bylaws of the licensee.

 3         (6)  Provide to the customer, upon the purchase of any

 4  burial right, merchandise, or service, a written contract, the

 5  form of which has been approved by the licensing authority

 6  pursuant to procedures specified by rule board.

 7         (a)  The written contract shall be completed as to all

 8  essential provisions prior to the signing of the contract by

 9  the customer.

10         (b)  The written contract shall provide an itemization

11  of the amounts charged for all services, merchandise, and

12  fees, which itemization shall be clearly and conspicuously

13  segregated from everything else on the written contract.

14         (c)  A description of the merchandise covered by the

15  contract to include, when applicable, model, manufacturer, and

16  other relevant specifications.

17         (7)  Provide the licensee's policy on cancellation and

18  refunds to each customer.

19         (8)  In a manner established by rule of the licensing

20  authority board, provide on the signature page, clearly and

21  conspicuously in boldfaced 10-point type or larger, the

22  following:

23         (a)  The words "purchase price."

24         (b)  The amount to be trusted.

25         (c)  The amount to be refunded upon contract

26  cancellation.

27         (d)  The amounts allocated to merchandise, services,

28  and cash advances.

29         (e)  The toll-free number of the department which is

30  available for questions or complaints.

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 1         (f)  A statement that the purchaser shall have 30 days

 2  from the date of execution of contract to cancel the contract

 3  and receive a total refund of all moneys paid for items not

 4  used.

 5         (9)  Effective October 1, 2006, display in its offices

 6  for free distribution to all potential customers, and provide

 7  to all customers at the time of sale, a brochure explaining

 8  how and by whom cemeteries and preneed sales are regulated,

 9  summarizing consumer rights under the law, and providing the

10  name, address, and phone number of the department's consumer

11  affairs division. The format and content of the brochure shall

12  be as prescribed by the rule. The licensing authority may

13  cause the publication of such brochures and by rule

14  establishing requirements that cemetery and preneed licensees

15  purchase and make available such brochures as so published, in

16  the licensee's offices, to all potential customers.

17         (10)  Provide to each customer a complete description

18  of any monument, marker, or memorialization to be placed at

19  the gravesite.

20         Section 64.  Section 497.337, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 497.283, Florida Statutes, and amended

22  to read:

23         497.283 497.337  Prohibition on sale of personal

24  property or services.--

25         (1)  This section applies to all cemetery companies

26  licensed pursuant to this chapter that offer for sale or sell

27  personal property or services which may be used in a cemetery

28  in connection with the burial of human remains or the

29  commemoration of the memory of a deceased human being and also

30  to any person in direct written contractual relationship with

31  licensed cemetery companies.


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 1         (2)(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter,

 2  no cemetery company shall directly or indirectly enter into a

 3  contract for the sale of personal property or services,

 4  excluding burial or interment rights, which may be used in a

 5  cemetery in connection with disposing of human remains, or

 6  commemorating the memory of a deceased human being, if

 7  delivery of the personal property or performance of the

 8  service is to be made more than 120 days after receipt of

 9  final payment under the contract of sale, except as provided

10  in s. 497.458 497.417. This shall include, but not be limited

11  to, the sale for future delivery of burial vaults, grave

12  liners, urns, memorials, vases, foundations, memorial bases,

13  and similar merchandise and related services commonly sold or

14  used in cemeteries and interment fees but excluding burial or

15  interment rights.

16         (b)  For the purposes of this section, the term

17  "delivery" means actual delivery and installation at the time

18  of need or at the request of the owner or the owner's agent.

19  Merchandise is not considered delivered under paragraph (a) if

20  it is stored on the grounds of the cemetery or at a storage

21  facility except for monuments, markers, and permanent outer

22  burial receptacles that are stored in a protected environment

23  and are comprised of materials designed to withstand

24  prolonged, protected storage without adversely affecting the

25  structural integrity or aesthetic characteristics of such

26  permanent outer burial receptacles.

27         (c)  In lieu of delivery as required by paragraph (b),

28  for sales to cemetery companies and funeral establishments,

29  and only for such sales, the manufacturer of a permanent outer

30  burial receptacle which meets standards adopted by rule the

31  board may elect, at its discretion, to comply with the


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 1  delivery requirements of this section by annually submitting

 2  for approval pursuant to procedures and forms as specified by

 3  rule, in writing, evidence of the manufacturer's financial

 4  responsibility with the licensing authority board for its

 5  review and approval. The standards and procedures to establish

 6  evidence of financial responsibility shall be those in s.

 7  497.461 497.423 or s. 497.425, with the manufacturer of

 8  permanent outer burial receptacles which meet national

 9  industry standards assuming the same rights and

10  responsibilities as those of a preneed licensee

11  certificateholder under s. 497.461 497.423 or s. 497.425.

12         (3)  No nonprofit cemetery corporation which has been

13  incorporated and engaged in the cemetery business prior to and

14  continuously since 1915 and which has current trust assets

15  exceeding $2 million shall be required to designate a

16  corporate trustee.

17         Section 65.  Section 497.345, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 497.284, Florida Statutes, to read:

19         497.284 497.345  Abandoned cemeteries; immunity;

20  actions.--

21         (1)  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the

22  contrary, a county or municipality which has within its

23  jurisdiction an abandoned cemetery or a cemetery that has not

24  been reasonably maintained for a period in excess of 6 months

25  may, upon notice to the department, take such action as is

26  necessary and appropriate to provide for maintenance and

27  security of the cemetery. The solicitation of private funds

28  and the expenditure of public funds for the purposes

29  enumerated in this subsection are hereby authorized, provided

30  that no action taken by a county or municipality under this

31  


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 1  subsection shall establish an ongoing obligation or duty to

 2  provide continuous security or maintenance for any cemetery.

 3         (2)  No county or municipality nor any person under the

 4  supervision or direction of the county or municipality,

 5  providing good faith assistance in securing or maintaining a

 6  cemetery under subsection (1), may be subject to civil

 7  liabilities or penalties of any type for damages to property

 8  at the cemetery.

 9         (3)  A county or municipality that has maintained or

10  secured a cemetery pursuant to the provisions of subsection

11  (1) may maintain an action at law against the owner of the

12  cemetery to recover an amount equal to the value of such

13  maintenance or security.

14         Section 66.  Section 497.349, Florida Statutes, is

15  renumbered as section 497.285, Florida Statutes, and amended

16  to read:

17         497.285 497.349  Inactive cemeteries.--

18         (1)  A licensee shall be considered inactive upon the

19  acceptance of the surrender of its license by the department

20  or upon the nonreceipt by the department of the license

21  renewal fees required by s. 497.265 497.213(2).

22         (2)  A cemetery licensee licensed to engage in preneed

23  sales shall cease all preneed sales to the public upon

24  becoming inactive in regards to its cemetery license. At-need

25  sales to the public shall cease within 30 days after becoming

26  inactive.

27         (3)  Any licensee desiring to surrender its license to

28  the department shall first:

29         (a)  File notice with the department.

30         (b)  Submit copies of its existing trust agreements.

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 1         (c)  Resolve to the department's satisfaction all

 2  findings and violations resulting from the last examination

 3  conducted.

 4         (d)  Pay all outstanding fines and invoices due the

 5  department.

 6         (e)  Submit its current license.

 7         (4)  Upon receipt of the notice, the department shall

 8  review the licensee's:

 9         (a)  Trust funds.

10         (b)  Trust agreements.

11         (c)  Care and maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

12         (5)  After a review to the department's satisfaction,

13  the department shall terminate the license.

14         (6)(a)  The care and maintenance trust fund of a

15  licensee shall be held intact and in trust after the licensee

16  has become inactive, and funds in that trust fund shall be

17  disbursed to the cemetery on a regular basis for the upkeep of

18  the grounds.

19         (b)  The merchandise trust fund of a licensee shall be

20  held intact and in trust after the licensee has become

21  inactive, and the funds in that trust fund shall be disbursed

22  in accordance with the requirements of the written contracts

23  until the fund has been exhausted.

24         Section 67.  Section 497.353, Florida Statutes, is

25  renumbered as section 497.286, Florida Statutes, and amended

26  to read:

27         497.286 497.353  Owners to provide addresses;

28  presumption of abandonment; abandonment procedures; sale of

29  abandoned unused burial rights.--

30         (1)  For purposes of this section, all owners of burial

31  rights in any cemetery licensed under the provisions of this


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 1  chapter the Florida Funeral and Cemetery Services Act shall

 2  have the legal duty to keep the cemetery companies informed in

 3  writing of their residence addresses. Cemetery companies shall

 4  notify their present burial rights owners by letter at the

 5  owner's last known address and notify all future burial rights

 6  owners, in the contract for sale and the certificate of

 7  ownership, of the requirement to keep the cemetery company

 8  informed in writing of their current residence address.

 9         (2)  There is hereby created a presumption that burial

10  rights in any cemetery licensed under this chapter have been

11  abandoned when an owner of unused burial rights has failed to

12  provide the cemetery with a current residence address for a

13  period of 50 consecutive years and the cemetery is unable to

14  communicate by certified letter with said owner of unused

15  burial rights for lack of address. No such presumption of

16  abandonment shall exist for burial rights held in common

17  ownership which are adjoining, whether in a grave space, plot,

18  mausoleum, columbarium, or other place of interment, if any

19  such burial rights have been used within such common

20  ownership.

21         (3)  Upon the occurrence of a presumption of

22  abandonment as set forth in subsection (2), a cemetery may

23  file with the department a certified notice attesting to the

24  abandonment of the burial rights. The notice shall do the

25  following:

26         (a)  Describe the burial rights certified to have been

27  abandoned;

28         (b)  Set forth the name of the owner or owners of the

29  burial rights, or if the owner is known to the cemetery to be

30  deceased, then the names, if known to the cemetery, of such

31  


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 1  claimants as are heirs at law, next of kin, or specific

 2  devisees under the will of the owner;

 3         (c)  Detail the facts with respect to the failure of

 4  the owner or survivors as outlined in this section to keep the

 5  cemetery informed of the owner's address for a period of 50

 6  consecutive years or more; and

 7         (d)  Certify that no burial right has been exercised

 8  which is held in common ownership with any abandoned burial

 9  rights as set forth in subsection (2).

10         (4)  Irrespective of diversity of ownership of the

11  burial rights, a cemetery may include in its certification

12  burial rights in as many owners as are certified to have been

13  abandoned.

14         (5)  The department shall notice and publish the

15  approved abandoned burial rights in the manner provided by s.

16  717.118.

17         (6)  Within 120 days from the final notice and

18  publication as provided in subsection (5), the department

19  shall notify the cemetery if there has been no claim filed for

20  the burial rights, and the cemetery shall have the right to

21  sell such burial rights at a public sale subject to the

22  approval of the sale price by the department.

23         (7)  Notice of the time and place of any sale held

24  pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be published

25  by the cemetery once in a newspaper of general circulation in

26  the county in which the cemetery is located, such publication

27  to be not less than 30 days prior to the date of sale.

28         (8)  The proceeds derived from any sale shall be

29  disbursed in the following manner: an amount specified in s.

30  497.268 497.245 shall be deposited to the cemetery care and

31  maintenance trust fund; an amount equal to the cemetery


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 1  company's actual and necessary costs incurred pursuant to this

 2  section but not to exceed 10 percent of the selling price of

 3  the abandoned burial right shall be deposited to the cemetery

 4  company's operating account; and the balance of the proceeds

 5  shall be deposited with the department within 20 days after

 6  receipt of said funds. The department shall deposit all funds

 7  received pursuant to this subsection in accordance with the

 8  provisions of s. 717.123.

 9         (9)  Persons or their heirs who were owners of burial

10  rights which were sold under this section shall have the right

11  at any time to obtain equivalent burial rights in the cemetery

12  without further charge. If no burial rights are desired, such

13  persons or their heirs may obtain the amount paid to the

14  department in accordance with the provisions of s. 717.124.

15         (10)  The cemetery shall set aside equivalent burial

16  rights equal to 10 percent of the abandoned burial rights sold

17  under this section for the exclusive use of persons or their

18  heirs who were owners of burial rights which were sold under

19  this section, who have the right at any time to obtain

20  equivalent burial rights in the cemetery under this section.

21         (11)  Persons who purchase burial rights at a sale

22  pursuant to this section shall have the right to sell,

23  alienate, or otherwise transfer said burial rights subject to

24  and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the

25  cemetery and payment of a reasonable transfer fee.

26         Section 68.  Section 497.357, Florida Statutes, is

27  renumbered as section 497.287, Florida Statutes, and amended

28  to read:

29         497.287 497.357  Report of identification of exempt

30  cemeteries.--

31  


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 1         (1)  All cemeteries in excess of 5 acres located in

 2  this state that are exempt from the provisions of this chapter

 3  shall be required to file a report of identification with the

 4  department and pay a $25 fee. The department shall maintain

 5  such reports as public records. Such report of identification

 6  shall be refiled every 5 years pursuant to a schedule set by

 7  board rule. Solely for purposes of chapter 120, such report of

 8  identification shall be considered a license registration with

 9  the department.

10         (2)  The report shall be submitted on a form and

11  pursuant to procedures specified by rule approved by the

12  board, and shall list the name and address of the authorized

13  agent who is responsible for conducting the business of the

14  cemetery and to whom inquiries about the cemetery can be

15  directed.

16         (3)  The department board may institute proceedings in

17  any appropriate court for injunctive relief to enforce this

18  section. Upon issuance of an injunctive order, the court shall

19  award the department its costs and attorney fees in the

20  action.

21         Section 69.  Part III of chapter 497, Florida Statutes,

22  consisting of sections 497.365, 497.366, 497.367, 497.368,

23  497.369, 497.370, 497.371, 497.372, 497.373, 497.374, 497.375,

24  497.376, 497.377, 497.378, 497.379, 497.380, 497.381, 497.382,

25  497.383, 497.384, 497.385, 497.386, 497.387, 497.388, 497.389,

26  497.390, 497.391, and 497.392, is created to read:

27                             PART III

28        FUNERAL DIRECTING, EMBALMING, AND RELATED SERVICES

29         Section 70.  Section 497.365, Florida Statutes, is

30  created to read:

31         497.365  Licensure; inactive and delinquent status.--


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 1         (1)  This section shall apply only to licenses issued

 2  under this part. A licensee may practice a profession or

 3  occupation regulated under this part only if the licensee has

 4  an active status license. A licensee who practices a

 5  profession without an active status license is in violation of

 6  this chapter and the licensing authority may impose discipline

 7  on the licensee.

 8         (2)  Pursuant to procedures specified by rule, a

 9  licensee shall be permitted to choose, at the time of

10  licensure renewal, an active or inactive status. However, a

11  licensee who changes from inactive to active status is not

12  eligible to return to inactive status until the licensee

13  thereafter completes a licensure cycle on active status.

14         (3)  There shall be imposed pursuant to rule a fee for

15  an inactive status license which is no greater than the fee

16  for an active status license.

17         (4)  An inactive status licensee may change to active

18  status at any time, provided the licensee meets all

19  requirements for active status, pays any additional licensure

20  fees necessary to equal those imposed on an active status

21  licensee, pays any applicable reactivation fees as set by the

22  licensing authority, and meets all continuing education

23  requirements as specified in this section.

24         (5)  A licensee shall apply with a complete

25  application, as defined by rule of the licensing authority, to

26  renew an active or inactive status license, before the license

27  expires. Failure of a licensee to renew before the license

28  expires shall cause the license to become delinquent in the

29  license cycle following expiration.

30         (6)  A delinquent status licensee must affirmatively

31  apply with a complete application, as defined by rule of the


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 1  licensing authority, for active or inactive status during the

 2  licensure cycle in which a licensee becomes delinquent.

 3  Failure by a delinquent status licensee to become active or

 4  inactive before the expiration of the current licensure cycle

 5  shall render the license null without any further action by

 6  the board or the licensing authority. Any subsequent licensure

 7  shall be as a result of applying for and meeting all

 8  requirements imposed on an applicant for new licensure.

 9         (7)  There shall be imposed pursuant to rule an

10  additional delinquency fee, not to exceed the biennial renewal

11  fee for an active status license, on a delinquent status

12  licensee when such licensee applies for active or inactive

13  status.

14         (8)  There shall be imposed pursuant to rule an

15  additional fee, not to exceed the biennial renewal fee for an

16  active status license, for processing a licensee's request to

17  change licensure status at any time other than at the

18  beginning of a licensure cycle.

19         (9)  There may be imposed pursuant to rule reasonable

20  conditions, excluding full reexamination but including part of

21  a national examination or a special purpose examination, to

22  assess current competency necessary to ensure that a licensee

23  who has been on inactive status for more than 4 consecutive

24  years and who applies for active status can practice with the

25  care and skill sufficient to protect the health, safety, and

26  welfare of the public. Reactivation requirements may differ

27  depending on the length of time licensees are inactive. The

28  costs to meet reactivation requirements shall be borne by

29  licensees requesting reactivation.

30         (10)  Before reactivation, an inactive or delinquent

31  licensee shall meet the same continuing education


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 1  requirements, if any, imposed on an active status licensee for

 2  all licensure periods in which the licensee was inactive or

 3  delinquent.

 4         (11)  The status or a change in status of a licensee

 5  shall not alter in any way the right to impose discipline or

 6  to enforce discipline previously imposed on a licensee for

 7  acts or omissions committed by the licensee while holding a

 8  license, whether active, inactive, or delinquent.

 9         Section 71.  Section 497.366, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         497.366  Licensure; renewal and cancellation notices.--

12         (1)  At least 90 days before the end of a licensure

13  cycle, the licensing authority shall:

14         (a)  Forward a licensure renewal notification to an

15  active or inactive licensee at the licensee's last known

16  address of record with the licensing authority.

17         (b)  Forward a notice of pending cancellation of

18  licensure to a delinquent status licensee at the licensee's

19  last known address of record with the licensing authority.

20         (2)  Each licensure renewal notification and each

21  notice of pending cancellation of licensure must state

22  conspicuously that a licensee who remains on inactive status

23  for more than 4 years and who wishes to reactivate the license

24  may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active

25  practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by

26  completing other reactivation requirements, as defined by rule

27  of the licensing authority.

28         (3)  This section shall apply only to licensees

29  licensed under this part.

30         Section 72.  Section 497.367, Florida Statutes, is

31  created to read:


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 1         497.367  Instruction on HIV and AIDS, funeral directors

 2  and embalmers.--

 3         (1)  Each person licensed as a funeral director or

 4  embalmer under this chapter shall be required to complete an

 5  approved continuing educational course on human

 6  immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency

 7  syndrome, at least every 2 years. The course shall consist of

 8  education on the modes of transmission, infection control

 9  procedures, clinical management, and prevention of human

10  immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency

11  syndrome. Such course shall include information on current

12  Florida law on acquired immune deficiency syndrome and its

13  impact on testing, confidentiality of test results, and

14  treatment of patients.

15         (2)  Confirmation of completed continuing education

16  concerning each funeral director or embalmer licensee shall be

17  submitted according to procedures, forms, and methods as

18  specified by rule of the licensing authority.

19         (3)  There may be approved by the licensing authority

20  by rule or order additional equivalent courses that may be

21  used to satisfy the requirements in subsection (1). There may

22  be counted the hours required for completion of the course

23  included in the total continuing educational requirements as

24  required by law.

25         (4)  Any person holding two or more licenses subject to

26  the provisions of this section shall only be required to take

27  the course once every 2 years notwithstanding the number of

28  licenses held by that person.

29         (5)  Failure to timely comply with the above

30  requirements shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action

31  against the licensee.


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 1         (6)  It shall be required as a condition of granting a

 2  license as a funeral director and embalmer under this chapter

 3  that an applicant making initial application for licensure

 4  complete an educational course approved by the licensing

 5  authority on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune

 6  deficiency syndrome. An applicant who has not taken a course

 7  at the time of licensure shall, upon an affidavit showing good

 8  cause, be allowed 6 months to complete this requirement.

 9         Section 73.  Section 470.006, Florida Statutes, is

10  renumbered as section 497.368, Florida Statutes, and amended

11  to read:

12         497.368 470.006  Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by

13  examination; provisional license.--

14         (1)  Any person desiring to be licensed as an embalmer

15  shall apply to the licensing authority department to take the

16  licensure examination. The licensing authority department

17  shall examine each applicant who has remitted an examination

18  fee set by rule of the licensing authority the board not to

19  exceed $200 plus the actual per applicant cost to the

20  licensing authority department for portions of the examination

21  and who the board certifies has:

22         (a)  Completed the application form and remitted a

23  nonrefundable application fee set by the licensing authority

24  board not to exceed $200 $50.

25         (b)  Submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing

26  authority board that the applicant is at least 18 years of age

27  and is a recipient of a high school degree or equivalent.

28         (c)  Had no conviction or finding of guilt, regardless

29  of adjudication, for a crime which directly relates to the

30  ability to practice embalming or the practice of embalming.

31  


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 1         (d)  Completed a course in mortuary science approved by

 2  the licensing authority board, which course embraces, at

 3  least, the following subjects: theory and practice of

 4  embalming, restorative art, pathology, anatomy, microbiology,

 5  chemistry, hygiene, and public health and sanitation.

 6         (e)  Submitted proof of completion of a board-approved

 7  course on communicable diseases approved by the licensing

 8  authority.

 9         (2)  The licensing authority department shall license

10  the applicant as an embalmer if the applicant:

11         (a)  Passes an examination on the subjects of the

12  theory and practice of embalming, restorative art, pathology,

13  anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, hygiene, public health and

14  sanitation, and local, state, and federal laws and rules

15  relating to the disposition of dead human bodies; however,

16  there may the board by rule be approved by the licensing

17  authority may adopt the use of a national examination, such as

18  the embalming examination prepared by the Conference of

19  Funeral Service Examining Boards, in lieu of part of this

20  examination requirement; and

21         (b)  Completes a 1-year internship under a licensed

22  embalmer.

23         (3)  Any applicant who has completed the required

24  1-year internship and has been approved for examination as an

25  embalmer may qualify for a provisional license to work in a

26  licensed funeral establishment, under the direct supervision

27  of a licensed embalmer for a limited period of 6 months as

28  provided by rule of the licensing authority board. The fee for

29  provisional licensure shall be set by rule of the licensing

30  authority the board, but may not exceed $200 $125, and shall

31  be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee required in


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 1  subsection (1). This provisional license may be renewed no

 2  more than one time.

 3         Section 74.  Section 470.007, Florida Statutes, is

 4  renumbered as section 497.369, Florida Statutes, and amended

 5  to read:

 6         497.369 470.007  Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by

 7  endorsement; licensure registration of a temporary embalmer.--

 8         (1)  The licensing authority department shall issue a

 9  license by endorsement to practice embalming to an applicant

10  who has remitted an examination fee set by rule of the

11  licensing authority the board not to exceed $200 and who the

12  licensing authority board certifies:

13         (a)  Has completed the application form and remitted a

14  nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing

15  authority the board not to exceed $200 $50.

16         (b)1.  Holds a valid license to practice embalming in

17  another state of the United States, provided that, when the

18  applicant secured his or her or his original license, the

19  requirements for licensure were substantially equivalent to or

20  more stringent than those existing in this state; or

21         2.  Meets the qualifications for licensure in s.

22  497.368 470.006, except that the internship requirement shall

23  be deemed to have been satisfied by 1 year's practice as a

24  licensed embalmer in another state, and has, within 10 years

25  prior to the date of application, successfully completed a

26  state, regional, or national examination in mortuary science,

27  which, as determined by rule of the licensing authority board,

28  is substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the

29  examination given by the licensing authority department.

30  

31  


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 1         (c)  Has submitted proof of completion of a licensing

 2  authority approved board-approved course on communicable

 3  diseases.

 4         (2)  State, regional, or national examinations and

 5  requirements for licensure in another state shall be presumed

 6  to be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the

 7  examination and requirements in this state unless found

 8  otherwise by rule of the licensing authority board.

 9         (3)  The licensing authority department shall not issue

10  a license by endorsement or a temporary license registration

11  to any applicant who is under investigation or prosecution in

12  any jurisdiction for an act which would constitute a violation

13  of this chapter until such time as the investigation or

14  prosecution is complete.

15         (4)  Each applicant for licensure by endorsement must

16  pass the examination on local, state, and federal laws and

17  rules relating to the disposition of dead human bodies which

18  is required under s. 497.368 470.006 and which shall be given

19  by the licensing authority department.

20         (5)  There may be adopted by the licensing authority

21  The board may adopt rules authorizing an applicant who has met

22  the requirements of paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who is

23  awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required by

24  subsection (4) to be licensed register as a temporary licensed

25  embalmer. A temporary licensed registered temporary embalmer

26  may work as an embalmer in a licensed funeral establishment

27  under the general supervision of a licensed embalmer. Such

28  temporary license registration shall expire 60 days after the

29  date of the next available examination required under

30  subsection (4); however, the temporary license registration

31  may be renewed one time under the same conditions as initial


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 1  issuance. The fee for issuance registration or renewal of an

 2  embalmer temporary license registration as a temporary

 3  embalmer shall be set by rule of the licensing authority the

 4  board but may not exceed $200 $125. The fee required in this

 5  subsection shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee

 6  required in subsection (1).

 7         Section 75.  Section 470.008, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 497.370, Florida Statutes, and amended

 9  to read:

10         497.370 470.008  Embalmers; licensure Registration of

11  an embalmer intern.--

12         (1)  Any person desiring to become an embalmer intern

13  shall make application to the licensing authority department

14  on forms specified by rule provided by the department,

15  together with a nonrefundable fee determined by rule of the

16  licensing authority but not to exceed $200 $100. The

17  application shall indicate the name and address of the

18  licensed embalmer under whose supervision the intern will

19  receive training and the name of the licensed funeral

20  establishment or centralized embalming facility where such

21  training is to be conducted. The embalmer intern shall intern

22  under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer who has an

23  active, valid license under s. 497.368 or s. 497.369.

24         (2)  An applicant for internship under this section

25  shall meet the requirements of s. 497.368(1)(b)-(e)

26  470.006(1)(b)-(e) prior to being licensed registered by the

27  board as an embalmer intern.

28         (3)  There shall be adopted The board shall adopt rules

29  establishing an embalmer internship program and criteria for

30  embalmer intern training agencies and supervisors. Any funeral

31  establishment or centralized embalming facility where


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 1  embalming is conducted must apply to the licensing authority

 2  board for approval as an embalmer intern training agency.

 3         (4)  A funeral establishment or centralized embalming

 4  facility designated as an embalmer intern training agency may

 5  not exact a fee from any person obtaining intern training at

 6  such funeral establishment or centralized embalming facility.

 7         Section 76.  Section 470.0085, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 497.371, Florida Statutes, and amended

 9  to read:

10         497.371 470.0085  Embalmers; establishment of embalmer

11  apprentice program.--The licensing authority adopts board may

12  adopt rules establishing an embalmer apprentice program. An

13  embalmer apprentice may perform only those tasks, functions,

14  and duties relating to embalming which are performed under the

15  direct supervision of an a licensed embalmer who has an

16  active, valid license under s. 497.368 or s. 497.369. An

17  embalmer apprentice shall be eligible to serve in an

18  apprentice capacity for a period not to exceed 3 years 1 year

19  as may be determined by licensing authority board rule or for

20  a period not to exceed 5 3 years if the apprentice is enrolled

21  in and attending a course in mortuary science or funeral

22  service education at any mortuary college or funeral service

23  education college or school. An embalmer apprentice shall be

24  licensed registered with the board upon payment of a licensure

25  registration fee as determined by licensing authority rule but

26  not to exceed $200 $50.

27         Section 77.  Section 470.0087, Florida Statutes, is

28  renumbered as section 497.372, Florida Statutes, and amended

29  to read:

30         497.372 470.0087  Funeral directing; conduct

31  constituting Practice of funeral directing.--


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 1         (1)  The practice of funeral directing shall be

 2  construed to consist of the following functions, which may be

 3  performed only by a licensed funeral director:

 4         (a)  Selling or offering to sell funeral services on an

 5  at-need basis.

 6         (b)  Planning or arranging, on an at-need basis, the

 7  details of a funeral service with the family or friends of the

 8  decedent or any other person responsible for such service;

 9  setting the time of the service; establishing the type of

10  service to be rendered; acquiring the services of the clergy;

11  and obtaining vital information for the filing of death

12  certificates and obtaining of burial transit permits.

13         (c)  Making, negotiating, or completing the financial

14  arrangements for a funeral service on an at-need basis,

15  provided that nonlicensed personnel may assist the funeral

16  director in performing such tasks.

17         (d)  Directing, being in charge or apparent charge of,

18  or supervising, directly or indirectly, a visitation or

19  viewing. Such functions shall not require that a licensed

20  funeral director be physically present throughout the

21  visitation or viewing, provided that the funeral director is

22  readily available by telephone for consultation.

23         (e)  Directing, being in charge or apparent charge of,

24  or supervising, directly or indirectly, any funeral service

25  held in a funeral establishment, cemetery, or elsewhere.

26         (f)  Directing, being in charge or apparent charge of,

27  or supervising, directly or indirectly, any memorial service

28  held prior to or within 72 hours of the burial or cremation,

29  if such memorial service is sold or arranged by a licensee

30  certificateholder or registrant.

31  


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 1         (g)  Using in connection with one's name or employment

 2  the words or terms "funeral director," "funeral

 3  establishment," "undertaker," "mortician," or any other word,

 4  term, title, or picture, or combination of any of the above,

 5  that when considered in the context in which used would imply

 6  that such person is engaged in the practice of funeral

 7  directing or that such person is holding himself or herself or

 8  himself out to the public as being engaged in the practice of

 9  funeral directing; provided, however, that nothing in this

10  paragraph shall prevent using the name of any owner, officer,

11  or corporate director of a funeral establishment, who is not a

12  licensee, in connection with the name of the funeral

13  establishment with which such individual is affiliated, so

14  long as such individual's affiliation is properly specified.

15         (h)  Managing or supervising the operation of a funeral

16  establishment, except for administrative matters such as

17  budgeting, accounting and personnel, maintenance of buildings,

18  equipment and grounds, and routine clerical and recordkeeping

19  functions.

20         (2)  The practice of funeral directing shall not be

21  construed to consist of the following functions:

22         (a)  The phoning-in or faxing of obituary notices;

23  ordering of flowers or merchandise; delivery of death

24  certificates to attending physicians; or clerical preparation

25  of death certificates, insurance forms, and any clerical tasks

26  that record the information compiled by the funeral director

27  or that are incidental to any of the functions specified

28  above.

29         (b)  Furnishing standard printed price lists and other

30  disclosure information to the public by telephone or by

31  providing such lists to persons making inquiry.


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 1         (c)  Removing or transporting human remains from the

 2  place of death, or removing or transporting human remains from

 3  or to a funeral establishment, centralized embalming facility,

 4  refrigeration facility, cemetery, crematory, medical

 5  examiner's office, common carrier, or other locations as

 6  authorized and provided by law.

 7         (d)  Arranging, coordinating, or employing licensed

 8  registered removal services, licensed registered refrigeration

 9  facilities, or licensed registered centralized embalming

10  facilities.

11         (e)  Any aspect of making preneed funeral arrangements

12  or entering into preneed contracts.

13         (f)  Any functions normally performed by cemetery or

14  crematory personnel.

15         Section 78.  Section 470.009, Florida Statutes, is

16  renumbered as section 497.373, Florida Statutes, and amended

17  to read:

18         497.373 470.009  Funeral directing; licensure as a

19  funeral director by examination; provisional license.--

20         (1)  Any person desiring to be licensed as a funeral

21  director shall apply to the licensing authority department to

22  take the licensure examination. The licensing authority

23  department shall examine each applicant who has remitted an

24  examination fee set by rule of the licensing authority the

25  board not to exceed $200 plus the actual per applicant cost to

26  the licensing authority department for portions of the

27  examination and who the licensing authority board certifies

28  has:

29         (a)  Completed the application form and remitted a

30  nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing

31  authority the board not to exceed $200 $50.


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 1         (b)  Submitted proof satisfactory to the licensing

 2  authority board that the applicant is at least 18 years of age

 3  and is a recipient of a high school degree or equivalent.

 4         (c)  Had no conviction or finding of guilt, regardless

 5  of adjudication, for a crime which directly relates to the

 6  ability to practice funeral directing or the practice of

 7  funeral directing.

 8         (d)1.  Received an associate in arts degree, associate

 9  in science degree, or an associate in applied science degree

10  in mortuary science approved by the licensing authority board;

11  or

12         2.  Holds an associate degree or higher from a college

13  or university accredited by a regional association of colleges

14  and schools recognized by the United States Department of

15  Education and is a graduate of at least an approved a 1-year

16  course in mortuary science approved by the licensing authority

17  board.

18         (e)  Submitted proof of completion of a board-approved

19  course on communicable diseases approved by the licensing

20  authority.

21         (2)  The licensing authority department shall license

22  the applicant as a funeral director if he or she or he:

23         (a)  Passes an examination on the subjects of the

24  theory and practice of funeral directing, public health and

25  sanitation, and local, state, and federal laws and rules

26  relating to the disposition of dead human bodies; however,

27  there may be approved by rule the board by rule may adopt  the

28  use of a national examination, such as the funeral service

29  arts examination prepared by the Conference of Funeral Service

30  Examining Boards, in lieu of part of this examination

31  requirement.


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 1         (b)  Completes a 1-year internship under a licensed

 2  funeral director.

 3         (3)  Any applicant who has completed the required

 4  1-year internship and has been approved for examination as a

 5  funeral director may qualify for a provisional license to work

 6  in a licensed funeral establishment, under the direct

 7  supervision of a licensed funeral director for a limited

 8  period of 6 months as provided by rule of the licensing

 9  authority board. The fee for provisional licensure shall be

10  set by rule of the licensing authority the board but may not

11  exceed $200 $125. The fee required in this subsection shall be

12  nonrefundable and in addition to the fee required by

13  subsection (1). This provisional license may be renewed no

14  more than one time.

15         Section 79.  Section 470.011, Florida Statutes, is

16  renumbered as section 497.374, Florida Statutes, and amended

17  to read:

18         497.374 470.011  Funeral directing; licensure as a

19  funeral director by endorsement; licensure registration of a

20  temporary funeral director.--

21         (1)  The licensing authority department shall issue a

22  license by endorsement to practice funeral directing to an

23  applicant who has remitted a fee set by rule of the licensing

24  authority the board not to exceed $200 and who the board

25  certifies:

26         (a)  Has completed the application form and remitted a

27  nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing

28  authority the board not to exceed $200 $50.

29         (b)1.  Holds a valid license to practice funeral

30  directing in another state of the United States, provided

31  that, when the applicant secured his or her or his original


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 1  license, the requirements for licensure were substantially

 2  equivalent to or more stringent than those existing in this

 3  state; or

 4         2.  Meets the qualifications for licensure in s.

 5  497.373 470.009 and has, within 10 years prior to the date of

 6  application, successfully completed a state, regional, or

 7  national examination in mortuary science, which, as determined

 8  by rule of the licensing authority board, is substantially

 9  equivalent to or more stringent than the examination given by

10  the licensing authority department.

11         (c)  Has submitted proof of completion of a licensing

12  authority approved board-approved course on communicable

13  diseases.

14         (2)  The licensing authority department shall not issue

15  a license by endorsement or a temporary license registration

16  to any applicant who is under investigation or prosecution in

17  any jurisdiction for acts which would constitute a violation

18  of this chapter until such time as the investigation or

19  prosecution is complete.

20         (3)  State, regional, or national examinations and

21  requirements for licensure in another state shall be presumed

22  to be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the

23  examination and requirements in this state unless found

24  otherwise by rule of the licensing authority board.

25         (4)  Each applicant for licensure by endorsement must

26  pass the examination on local, state, and federal laws and

27  rules relating to the disposition of dead human bodies which

28  is required under s. 497.373 470.009 and which shall be given

29  by the licensing authority department.

30         (5)  There may be adopted The board may adopt rules

31  authorizing an applicant who has met the requirements of


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 1  paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who is awaiting an opportunity

 2  to take the examination required by subsection (4) to obtain a

 3  license register as a temporary funeral director. A licensed

 4  registered temporary funeral director may work as a funeral

 5  director in a licensed funeral establishment under the general

 6  supervision of a licensed funeral director licensed under

 7  subsection (1) or s. 497.373. Such license registration shall

 8  expire 60 days after the date of the next available

 9  examination required under subsection (4); however, the

10  temporary license registration may be renewed one time under

11  the same conditions as initial issuance. The fee for initial

12  issuance or renewal of a temporary license under this

13  subsection registration or renewal of registration as a

14  temporary funeral director shall be set by rule of the

15  licensing authority the board but may not exceed $200 $125.

16  The fee required in this subsection shall be nonrefundable and

17  in addition to the fee required in subsection (1).

18         Section 80.  Section 470.012, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 497.375, Florida Statutes, and amended

20  to read:

21         497.375 470.012  Funeral directing; licensure

22  Registration of a funeral director intern.--

23         (1)  Any person desiring to become a funeral director

24  intern shall make application to the department on forms as

25  required by rule provided by the department, together with a

26  nonrefundable fee as determined by rule of the licensing

27  authority but not to exceed $200 $100. The application shall

28  indicate the name and address of the licensed funeral director

29  licensed under s. 497.373 or s. 497.374(1) under whose

30  supervision the intern will receive training and the name of

31  the licensed funeral establishment where such training is to


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 1  be conducted. The funeral director intern shall intern under

 2  the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director who has

 3  an active, valid license under s. 497.373 or s. 497.374(1).

 4         (2)  Rules shall be adopted The board shall adopt rules

 5  establishing a funeral director internship program and

 6  criteria for funeral director intern training agencies and

 7  supervisors. Any funeral establishment where funeral directing

 8  is conducted may apply to the licensing authority board for

 9  approval as a funeral director intern training agency.

10         (3)  A funeral establishment designated as a funeral

11  director intern training agency may not exact a fee from any

12  person obtaining intern training at such funeral

13  establishment.

14         Section 81.  Section 470.013, Florida Statutes, is

15  renumbered as section 497.376, Florida Statutes, and amended

16  to read:

17         497.376 470.013  License as funeral director and

18  embalmer permitted; display of license.--

19         (1)  Nothing in this chapter may be construed to

20  prohibit a person from holding a license as an embalmer and a

21  license as a funeral director at the same time.

22         (2)  There shall be adopted The board shall adopt rules

23  which require each license issued under this chapter to be

24  displayed in such a manner as to make it visible to the public

25  and to facilitate inspection by the licensing authority

26  department. However, each licensee shall permanently affix a

27  recent photograph of the licensee to each displayed license

28  issued to that licensee as a funeral director or embalmer.

29         Section 82.  Section 470.014, Florida Statutes, is

30  renumbered as section 497.377, Florida Statutes, and amended

31  to read:


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 1         497.377 470.014  Concurrent internships.--The

 2  internship requirement for embalmers and funeral directors may

 3  be served concurrently pursuant to rules adopted by the

 4  licensing authority board.

 5         Section 83.  Section 470.015, Florida Statutes, is

 6  renumbered as section 497.378, Florida Statutes, and amended

 7  to read:

 8         497.378 470.015  Renewal of funeral director and

 9  embalmer licenses.--

10         (1)  There shall be renewed The department shall renew

11  a funeral director or embalmer license upon receipt of the

12  renewal application and fee set by the licensing authority

13  board not to exceed $250. The licensing authority board may

14  prescribe by rule continuing education requirements of up to

15  12 classroom hours and may by rule establish criteria for

16  accepting alternative nonclassroom continuing education on an

17  hour-for-hour basis, in addition to a licensing

18  authority-approved board-approved course on communicable

19  diseases that includes the course on human immunodeficiency

20  virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome required by s.

21  497.367 455.2226, for the renewal of a funeral director or

22  embalmer license. The rule board may provide for the waiver of

23  continuing education requirements in circumstances that would

24  justify the waiver, such as hardship, disability, or illness.

25  The continuing education requirement is not required after

26  July 1, 1996, for a licensee who is over the age of 75 years

27  if the licensee does not qualify as the sole person in charge

28  of an establishment or facility.

29         (2)  The licensing authority department shall adopt

30  rules establishing a procedure for the biennial renewal of

31  licenses.


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 1         (3)  The licensing authority board shall adopt rules to

 2  establish requirements for the advertising of continuing

 3  education courses.

 4         Section 84.  Section 470.016, Florida Statutes, is

 5  renumbered as section 497.379, Florida Statutes, and amended

 6  to read:

 7         497.379 470.016  Inactive status.--

 8         (1)  A funeral director or embalmer license that has

 9  become inactive may be reactivated under s. 497.378 470.015

10  upon application to the licensing authority department. The

11  licensing authority board shall prescribe by rule continuing

12  education requirements as a condition of reactivating a

13  license. The continuing education requirements for

14  reactivating a license may not exceed 12 classroom hours, and

15  the licensing authority board may by rule establish criteria

16  for accepting alternative nonclassroom continuing education on

17  an hour-for-hour basis, in addition to a licensing

18  authority-approved board-approved course on communicable

19  diseases, for each year the license was inactive.

20         (2)  The licensing authority board shall prescribe by

21  rule an application fee for inactive status, a renewal fee for

22  inactive status, a delinquency fee, and a fee for reactivation

23  of a license. None of these fees may exceed the biennial

24  renewal fee established by the licensing authority board for

25  an active license.

26         (3)  The licensing authority department may not

27  reactivate a license unless the inactive or delinquent

28  licensee has paid any applicable biennial renewal or

29  delinquency fee, or both, and a reactivation fee.

30  

31  


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 1         Section 85.  Section 470.024, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.380, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         497.380 470.024  Funeral establishment; licensure.--

 5         (1)  A funeral establishment shall be a place at a

 6  specific street address or location consisting of at least

 7  1,250 contiguous interior square feet and must maintain or

 8  make arrangements for either suitable capacity for the

 9  refrigeration and storage of dead human bodies handled and

10  stored by the establishment and or a preparation room equipped

11  with necessary ventilation and drainage and containing

12  necessary instruments for embalming dead human bodies or must

13  make arrangements for a preparation room as established by

14  rule.

15         (2)  Each licensed funeral establishment may operate a

16  visitation chapel at a separate location within the county in

17  which the funeral establishment is located. A visitation

18  chapel must be a facility of not less than 500 square feet and

19  not more than 700 square feet and may be operated only when a

20  licensed funeral director is present at the facility. A

21  visitation chapel may be used only for visitation of a

22  deceased human body and may not be used for any other activity

23  permitted by this chapter.

24         (3)  No person may conduct, maintain, manage, or

25  operate a funeral establishment unless a funeral an

26  establishment operating license has been issued under this

27  chapter by the department for that funeral establishment.

28         (4)  Application for a funeral establishment license

29  shall be made on forms and pursuant to procedures specified by

30  rule furnished by the department, shall be accompanied by a

31  nonrefundable fee not to exceed $300 as set by licensing


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 1  authority board rule, and shall include the name of the

 2  licensed funeral director who is in charge of that

 3  establishment.

 4         (5)  A funeral establishment license shall be renewable

 5  biennially pursuant to procedures, and upon payment of a

 6  nonrefundable fee not to exceed $300, as set by licensing

 7  authority board rule. The licensing authority board may also

 8  establish by rule a delinquency fee not to exceed $50 per day.

 9         (6)  The practice of embalming done at a funeral

10  establishment shall only be practiced by an embalmer licensed

11  under this chapter.

12         (7)  Each licensed funeral establishment shall have one

13  full-time funeral director in charge and shall have a licensed

14  funeral director reasonably available to the public during

15  normal business hours for that establishment. The full-time

16  funeral director in charge must have an active license and may

17  not be the full-time funeral director in charge of any other

18  funeral establishment or of any other direct disposal

19  establishment.

20         (8)  The issuance of a license to operate a funeral

21  establishment to a person or entity who is not individually

22  licensed as a funeral director does not entitle the person to

23  practice funeral directing.

24         (9)  Each funeral establishment located at a specific

25  address shall be deemed to be a separate entity and shall

26  require separate licensing and compliance with the

27  requirements of this chapter. A funeral establishment may not

28  be operated at the same location as any other funeral

29  establishment or direct disposal establishment unless such

30  establishments were licensed as colocated establishments on

31  October 1, 1993.


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 1         (10)  Every funeral establishment licensed under this

 2  chapter shall at all times be subject to the inspection of all

 3  its buildings, grounds, and vehicles used in the conduct of

 4  its business, by the department or any of its designated

 5  representatives or agents, or local or Department of Health

 6  inspectors. The licensing authority board shall by rule

 7  establish requirements for inspection of funeral

 8  establishments.

 9         (11)  The licensing authority board shall set by rule

10  an annual inspection fee not to exceed $300 $100, payable upon

11  application for licensure and upon each renewal of such

12  license.

13         (12)  A change in ownership of a funeral establishment

14  shall be promptly reported pursuant to procedures established

15  by rule to the department and shall require the relicensure of

16  the funeral establishment, including reinspection and payment

17  of applicable fees.

18         (13)  Each application for a funeral establishment

19  license shall identify every person with the ability to direct

20  the management or policies of the establishment and must

21  identify every person having more than a 10-percent ownership

22  interest in the establishment or the business or corporation

23  which owns the establishment. The licensing authority board

24  may deny, suspend, or revoke the license if any person

25  identified in the application has been or thereafter is ever

26  been disciplined by a regulatory agency in any jurisdiction

27  for any offense that would constitute a violation of this

28  chapter. The licensing authority board may deny, suspend, or

29  revoke the license if any person identified in the application

30  has ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea

31  of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in


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 1  any jurisdiction that directly relates to the ability to

 2  operate a funeral establishment.

 3         (14)  Each funeral establishment must display at the

 4  public entrance the name of the establishment and the name of

 5  the full-time funeral director in charge. A funeral

 6  establishment must transact its business under the name by

 7  which it is licensed.

 8         Section 86.  Section 470.026, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 497.381, Florida Statutes, and amended

10  to read:

11         497.381 470.026  Solicitation of goods or services.--

12         (1)  The licensing authority board shall adopt rules

13  regulating the solicitation of goods or services by licensees

14  or registrants.

15         (2)  The licensing authority board shall regulate such

16  solicitation to protect the public from solicitation which is

17  intimidating, overreaching, vexatious, fraudulent, or

18  misleading; which utilizes undue influence; or which takes

19  undue advantage of a person's ignorance or emotional

20  vulnerability.

21         (3)  The licensing authority board shall regulate such

22  solicitation which comprises an uninvited invasion of personal

23  privacy. It is the express finding of the Legislature that the

24  public has a high expectation of privacy in one's personal

25  residence, and the licensing authority board by rule may

26  restrict the hours or otherwise regulate such solicitation in

27  the personal residence of a person unless the solicitation has

28  been previously and expressly requested by the person

29  solicited.

30         (4)  Nothing in this chapter may be construed to

31  restrict the right of a person to lawfully advertise, direct


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 1  mail, or otherwise communicate in a manner not within the

 2  definition of solicitation or to solicit the business of

 3  anyone responding to such communication or otherwise

 4  initiating discussion of the goods or services being offered.

 5         (5)  At-need solicitation of funeral merchandise or

 6  services is prohibited. No funeral director or direct disposer

 7  or her or his agent or representative may contact the family

 8  or next of kin of a deceased person to sell services or

 9  merchandise unless the funeral director or direct disposer or

10  her or his agent or representative has been initially called

11  or contacted by the family or next of kin of such person and

12  requested to provide her or his services or merchandise.

13         Section 87.  Section 470.029, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 497.382, Florida Statutes, and amended

15  to read:

16         497.382 470.029  Reports of cases embalmed and bodies

17  handled.--

18         (1)  Each funeral establishment, direct disposal

19  establishment, cinerator facility, and centralized embalming

20  facility shall report on a form prescribed and furnished by

21  the licensing authority department the name of the deceased

22  and such other information as may be required with respect to

23  each dead human body embalmed or otherwise handled by the

24  establishment or facility. Such forms shall be signed by the

25  embalmer who performs the embalming, if the body is embalmed,

26  and the funeral director in charge of the establishment or

27  facility or by the direct disposer who disposes of the body.

28  The licensing authority board shall prescribe by rule the

29  procedures in submitting such documentation. Reports required

30  by this subsection shall be filed by the 20th 10th day of each

31  month for final dispositions handled the preceding month.


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 1         (2)  Funeral directors performing disinterments shall

 2  report, using a form and procedures specified by rule on a

 3  form prescribed and furnished by the department, the name of

 4  the deceased and such other information as may be required by

 5  rule with respect to each dead human body disinterred.

 6         Section 88.  Section 470.0294, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 497.383, Florida Statutes, and amended

 8  to read:

 9         497.383 470.0294  Additional rights of legally

10  authorized persons.--

11         (1)  In addition to any other common law or statutory

12  rights a legally authorized person may otherwise have, that

13  person may authorize a funeral director or direct disposer

14  licensed under this chapter to lawfully dispose of fetal

15  remains in circumstances when a fetal death certificate is not

16  issued under chapter 382. A person licensed under this chapter

17  or former chapter 470 is not liable for damages as a result of

18  following the instructions of the legally authorized person in

19  connection with the final disposition of fetal remains in

20  circumstances in which a fetal death certificate is not issued

21  under chapter 382 or in connection with the final disposition

22  of a dead human body.

23         (2)  Any ambiguity or dispute concerning the right of

24  any legally authorized person to provide authorization under

25  this chapter or the validity of any documentation purporting

26  to grant that authorization shall be resolved by a court of

27  competent jurisdiction.

28         Section 89.  Section 470.0295, Florida Statutes, is

29  renumbered as section 497.384, Florida Statutes, and amended

30  to read:

31  


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 1         497.384 470.0295  Disinterment; transportation;

 2  authorization and notification.--

 3         (1)  The disinterment and reinterment of human remains

 4  shall require the physical presence of a licensed funeral

 5  director, unless the reinterment is to be made in the same

 6  cemetery.

 7         (2)  In order to ensure that any disinterment or

 8  transportation of a dead human body is conducted in a manner

 9  that properly protects the public health, safety, and welfare,

10  the licensing authority board may adopt rules to regulate the

11  disinterment and transportation of human remains.

12         (3)  The funeral director shall obtain written

13  authorization from a legally authorized person or a court of

14  competent jurisdiction prior to the disinterment and

15  reinterment of a dead human body.

16         (4)  Notification must be provided licensing authority

17  to the board and department as provided in s. 497.382 470.029.

18         (5)  The removal of human remains from a designated

19  temporary storage area to a place of permanent burial within a

20  cemetery shall not be considered a disinterment or

21  reinterment.

22         Section 90.  Section 470.0301, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 497.385, Florida Statutes, and amended

24  to read:

25         497.385 470.0301  Removal services; refrigeration

26  facilities; centralized embalming facilities.--In order to

27  ensure that the removal, refrigeration, and embalming of all

28  dead human bodies is conducted in a manner that properly

29  protects the public's health and safety, the licensing

30  authority board shall adopt rules to provide for the licensure

31  registration of removal services, refrigeration facilities,


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 1  and centralized embalming facilities operated independently of

 2  funeral establishments, direct disposal establishments, and

 3  cinerator facilities.

 4         (1)  REMOVAL SERVICES AND REFRIGERATION SERVICES.--

 5         (a)  Application for licensure registration of a

 6  removal service or a refrigeration service shall be made using

 7  forms and procedures as specified by rule on forms furnished

 8  by the department, shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee

 9  not to exceed $300 as set by licensing authority board rule,

10  and shall include the name of the business owner, manager in

11  charge, business address, and copies of occupational and other

12  local permits.

13         (b)  The licensing authority board shall set by rule

14  requirements for licensure registration of removal services

15  and refrigeration services.

16         (c)  The licensure Registration shall be renewed

17  biennially pursuant to procedures and upon payment of a

18  nonrefundable fee not to exceed $300 as set by licensing

19  authority board rule. The licensing authority board may also

20  establish by rule a late renewal penalty fee not to exceed $50

21  per day. Any licensure registration not renewed within 30 days

22  after its renewal date shall expire without further action by

23  the department.

24         (d)  Each business located at a specific address shall

25  be deemed to be a separate entity and shall require separate

26  licensure registration and compliance with the requirements of

27  this chapter.

28         (e)  Every licensee registrant under this section shall

29  at all times be subject to the inspection of all its

30  buildings, grounds, and vehicles used in the conduct of its

31  business, by the department or any of its designated


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 1  representatives or agents, or local or Department of Health

 2  inspectors. The licensing authority board shall by rule

 3  establish requirements for inspection of removal services and

 4  refrigeration services.

 5         (f)  The licensing authority board shall set by rule an

 6  annual inspection fee not to exceed $300 $100, payable upon

 7  application for licensure registration and upon each renewal

 8  of such licensure registration.

 9         (g)  A change in ownership shall be promptly reported

10  using forms and procedures specified by rule to the department

11  and may require the relicensure of the licensee registrant,

12  including reinspection and payment of applicable fees, as

13  required by rule.

14         (h)  The licensing authority board may deny, suspend,

15  or revoke the licensure registration if any person identified

16  in the application has ever been disciplined by a regulatory

17  agency in any jurisdiction for any offense that would

18  constitute a violation of this chapter. The licensing

19  authority board may deny, suspend, or revoke the license of

20  registration if any person identified in the application who

21  has been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of

22  nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any

23  jurisdiction that directly relates to the ability to operate a

24  removal service or refrigeration service.

25         (i)  Each business must display at the public entrance

26  the name of the establishment and the name of the full-time

27  manager in charge. Each licensee registrant must transact its

28  business under the name by which it is licensed registered

29  with the licensing authority department.

30         (j)  No person may conduct, maintain, manage, or

31  operate a removal service or refrigeration service unless


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 1  licensed registration for such service under this chapter has

 2  been issued by the department.

 3         (k)  Such removal services and refrigeration services

 4  may not enter into removal or refrigeration contracts with the

 5  general public.

 6         (2)  CENTRALIZED EMBALMING FACILITIES.--In order to

 7  ensure that all funeral establishments have access to

 8  embalming facilities that comply with all applicable health

 9  and safety requirements, the licensing authority board shall

10  adopt rules to provide for the licensure registration and

11  operation of centralized embalming facilities and shall

12  require, at a minimum, the following:

13         (a)  All centralized embalming facilities shall contain

14  all of the equipment and meet all of the requirements that a

15  preparation room located in a funeral establishment is

16  required to meet, but such facilities shall not be required to

17  comply with any of the other requirements for funeral

18  establishments, as set forth in s. 497.380 470.024.

19         (b)  Each licensed centralized embalming facility shall

20  have at least one full-time embalmer in charge. The full-time

21  embalmer in charge must have an active license and may not be

22  the full-time embalmer in charge, full-time funeral director

23  in charge, or full-time direct disposer in charge of any other

24  establishment licensed under this chapter.

25         (c)  Any person, regardless of whether such person is

26  otherwise regulated by this chapter, may own such a facility,

27  provided that such facility is operated in accordance with the

28  rules established by the licensing authority board.

29         (d)  A centralized embalming facility may only provide

30  services to funeral establishments.

31  


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 1         (e)  The practice of embalming done at a centralized

 2  embalming facility shall only be practiced by an embalmer

 3  licensed under this chapter and shall be provided only to

 4  licensed funeral establishments.

 5         (f)  Application for licensure registration of a

 6  centralized embalming facility shall be made utilizing forms

 7  and procedures prescribed by rule on forms furnished by the

 8  department and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee not

 9  to exceed $300 as set by licensing authority board rule, and

10  licensure registration shall be renewed biennially pursuant to

11  procedures and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee not to

12  exceed $300 as set by licensing authority board rule. The

13  licensing authority board may also establish by rule a late

14  fee not to exceed $50 per day. Any licensure registration not

15  renewed within 30 days after the renewal date shall expire

16  without further action by the department.

17         (g)  The licensing authority board shall set by rule an

18  annual inspection fee not to exceed $300 $100, payable upon

19  application for licensure registration and upon renewal of

20  such licensure registration.

21         (h)  The licensing authority board shall, by rule,

22  establish operating procedures which shall require, at a

23  minimum, that centralized embalming facilities maintain a

24  system of identification of human remains received for

25  embalming.

26         Section 91.  Section 470.0315, Florida Statutes, is

27  renumbered as section 497.386, Florida Statutes, and amended

28  to read:

29         497.386 470.0315  Storage, preservation, and

30  transportation of human remains.--

31  


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 1         (1)  A person may not store or maintain human remains

 2  at any establishment or facility except an establishment or

 3  facility licensed or registered under this chapter or a health

 4  care facility, medical examiner's facility, morgue, or

 5  cemetery holding facility.

 6         (2)  A dead human body may not be held in any place or

 7  in transit over 24 hours after death or pending final

 8  disposition unless the body is maintained under refrigeration

 9  at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below or is

10  embalmed or otherwise preserved in a manner approved by the

11  licensing authority board in accordance with the provisions of

12  this chapter.

13         (3)  A dead human body transported by common carrier or

14  any agency or individual authorized to carry dead human bodies

15  must be placed in a carrying container adequate to prevent the

16  seepage of fluids and escape of offensive odors. A dead human

17  body may be transported only when accompanied by a properly

18  completed burial-transit permit issued in accordance with the

19  provisions of chapter 382.

20         (4)  The licensing authority board shall establish by

21  rule the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing

22  practices for the handling and storing of dead human bodies,

23  provided that all human remains transported or stored must be

24  completely covered and at all times treated with dignity and

25  respect.

26         (5)  A person who violates any provision of this

27  section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable

28  as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

29         Section 92.  Section 470.032, Florida Statutes, is

30  renumbered as section 497.387, Florida Statutes, and amended

31  to read:


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 1         497.387 470.032  Unlawful to remove or embalm body

 2  without consent of proper official when crime is

 3  suspected.--It is unlawful for a licensee under this chapter

 4  or registrant to remove or embalm a dead human body when she

 5  or he has information indicating crime or violence of any sort

 6  in connection with the cause of death until permission of the

 7  medical examiner or other lawfully authorized official has

 8  first been obtained.

 9         Section 93.  Section 470.0355, Florida Statutes, is

10  renumbered as section 497.388, Florida Statutes, and amended

11  to read:

12         497.388 470.0355  Identification of human remains.--

13         (1)  PRIOR TO FINAL DISPOSITION.--

14         (a)  The licensee or registrant  in charge of the final

15  disposition of dead human remains shall, prior to final

16  disposition of such dead human remains, affix on the ankle or

17  wrist of the deceased, and or in the casket or alternative

18  container or cremation container, proper identification of the

19  dead human remains. The identification or tag shall be encased

20  in or consist of durable and long-lasting material containing

21  the name, date of birth, and date of death, and social

22  security number of the deceased, if available. If the dead

23  human remains are cremated, proper identification shall be

24  placed in the container or urn containing the remains.

25         (b)(2)  Any licensee or registrant responsible for

26  removal of dead human remains to any establishment, facility,

27  or location shall ensure that the remains are identified by a

28  tag or other means of identification that is affixed to the

29  ankle or wrist of the deceased at the time the remains are

30  removed from the place of death or other location.

31  


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 1         (c)(3)  Any licensee or registrant may rely on the

 2  representation of a legally authorized person to establish the

 3  identity of dead human remains.

 4         (2)  IN UNLICENSED CEMETERIES.--The identification of

 5  human remains interred in an unlicensed cemetery shall be the

 6  responsibility of the licensed funeral establishment in charge

 7  of the funeral arrangements for the deceased person. The

 8  licensed funeral establishment in charge of the funeral

 9  arrangements for the interment in an unlicensed cemetery of

10  human remains shall place on the outer burial container,

11  cremation internment container, or other container or on the

12  inside of a crypt or niche a tag or permanent identifying mark

13  containing the name of the decedent and the date of death, if

14  available. The materials and locations of the tag or mark

15  shall be more specifically described by rule of the licensing

16  authority.

17         (3)  IN LICENSED CEMETERIES.--Human remains at licensed

18  cemeteries shall be identified as follows:

19         (a)  Each licensed cemetery shall place on the outer

20  burial container, cremation interment container, or other

21  container or on the inside of a crypt or niche a tag or

22  permanent identifying marker containing the name of the

23  decedent and the date of death, if available. The materials

24  and the location of the tag or marker shall be more

25  specifically described by rule of the board.

26         (b)  Each licensed cemetery may rely entirely on the

27  identity stated on the burial transit permit or on the

28  identification supplied by a person licensed under this

29  chapter to establish the identity of the dead human remains

30  delivered by such person for burial and shall not be liable

31  for any differences between the identity shown on the burial


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 1  transit permit or identification and the actual identity of

 2  the dead human remains delivered by such person and buried in

 3  the cemetery.

 4         (4)  DIRECT DISPOSAL ESTABLISHMENTS.--Direct disposal

 5  establishments shall establish a system of identification of

 6  human remains received which shall be designed to track the

 7  identity of the remains from the time of receipt until

 8  delivery of the remains to the authorized persons. This is in

 9  addition to the requirements for identification of human

10  remains set forth in subsection (1). A copy of the

11  identification procedures shall be available, upon request, to

12  the department and legally authorized persons.

13         Section 94.  Section 470.0375, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 497.389, Florida Statutes, and amended

15  to read:

16         497.389 470.0375  Funeral establishments; cash advance

17  accounts; escrow refund accounts.--

18         (1)  Funeral establishments may elect to maintain

19  special, segregated bank accounts to be used in conjunction

20  with making cash advances to vendors. The money in such

21  accounts may be used by the funeral establishments to pay

22  third-party vendors when such amounts must be paid before the

23  funeral establishment has been paid by the purchaser.

24         (2)  Funeral establishments may elect to maintain

25  special, segregated escrow accounts to be used in conjunction

26  with making cash refunds to their purchasers. A funeral

27  establishment may deposit in such accounts any amounts paid by

28  its purchasers that were in excess of the actual funeral costs

29  incurred and cash advances made by the funeral establishment.

30  

31  


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 1         Section 95.  Section 470.038, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.390, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         497.390 470.038  Reciprocity.--In order to ensure that

 5  funeral directors, embalmers, and direct disposers who are

 6  licensed or registered in this state may be considered for

 7  licensure or registration in other jurisdictions, the

 8  licensing authority board may enter into reciprocity

 9  agreements with other jurisdictions.

10         Section 96.  Section 470.039, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 497.391, Florida Statutes, and amended

12  to read:

13         497.391 470.039  Exceptions.--

14         (1)  Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit

15  the sale of caskets, alternative containers, outer burial

16  containers, or funeral merchandise by any person on an at-need

17  basis.

18         (2)  Nothing in this chapter may be construed to

19  override the written instructions or wishes of the deceased as

20  to how his or her or his body is to be disposed of, if such

21  instructions are reasonably available at the time of death.

22         Section 97.  Section 470.0395, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 497.392, Florida Statutes, and amended

24  to read:

25         497.392 470.0395  Branch chapels.--Notwithstanding the

26  provisions of s. 497.380 470.024, any licensed establishment

27  operating a branch chapel on June 30, 1979, in accordance with

28  the law then in effect, as determined by the licensing

29  authority board, may continue to operate such branch chapel

30  for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing and holding

31  funeral services.


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 1         Section 98.  Part IV of chapter 497, Florida Statutes,

 2  consisting of sections 497.450, 497.451, 497.452, 497.453,

 3  497.454, 497.455, 497.456, 497.457, 497.458, 497.459, 497.460,

 4  497.461, 497.462, 497.463, 497.464, 497.465, 497.466, and

 5  497.467, is created to read:

 6                             PART IV

 7                          PRENEED SALES

 8         Section 99.  Section 497.401, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 497.450, Florida Statutes, to read:

10         497.450 497.401  Preneed sales; chapter exclusive;

11  applicability of other laws.--Except as provided in this

12  chapter, preneed funeral merchandise or service contract

13  businesses and preneed burial merchandise or service contract

14  businesses shall be governed by this chapter and shall be

15  exempt from all provisions of the Florida Insurance Code.

16         Section 100.  Section 497.403, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 497.451, Florida Statutes, to read:

18         497.451 497.403  Insurance business not

19  authorized.--Nothing in the Florida Insurance Code or this

20  chapter shall be deemed to authorize any preneed funeral

21  merchandise or service contract business or any preneed burial

22  merchandise or service business to transact any insurance

23  business, other than that of preneed funeral merchandise or

24  service insurance or preneed burial merchandise or service

25  insurance, or otherwise to engage in any other type of

26  insurance unless it is authorized under a certificate of

27  authority issued under the provisions of the Florida Insurance

28  Code. Any insurance business transacted under this section

29  must comply with the provisions of s. 626.785.

30  

31  


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 1         Section 101.  Section 497.405, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.452, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         497.452 497.405  Preneed license Certificate of

 5  authority required.--

 6         (1)(a)  No person, including any cemetery exempt under

 7  s. 497.260 497.003, may sell, advertise to sell, or make an

 8  arrangement for a preneed contract without first having a

 9  valid preneed license certificate of authority.

10         (b)  No person, including any cemetery exempt under s.

11  497.260 497.003, may sell, advertise to sell, or make an

12  arrangement for services, merchandise, or burial rights on a

13  preneed basis unless such person is authorized pursuant to

14  this chapter to provide such services, merchandise, or burial

15  rights on an at-need basis.

16         (2)(a)  No person may receive any funds for payment on

17  a preneed contract who does not hold a valid preneed license

18  certificate of authority.

19         (b)  The provisions of paragraph (a) do not apply to a

20  trust company operating pursuant to chapter 660, to a national

21  or state bank holding trust powers, or to a federal or state

22  savings and loan association having trust powers which

23  company, bank, or association receives any money in trust

24  pursuant to the sale of a preneed contract.

25         (c)  The provisions of paragraph (a) do not apply to

26  any Florida corporation existing under chapter 607 acting as a

27  servicing agent hereunder in which the stock of such

28  corporation is held by 100 or more persons licensed pursuant

29  to part III of this chapter 470, provided no one stockholder

30  holds, owns, votes, or has proxies for more than 5 percent of

31  the issued stock of such corporation; provided the corporation


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 1  has a blanket fidelity bond, covering all employees handling

 2  the funds, in the amount of $50,000 or more issued by a

 3  licensed insurance carrier in this state; and provided the

 4  corporation processes the funds directly to and from the

 5  trustee within the applicable time limits set forth in this

 6  chapter. The department may require any person claiming that

 7  the provisions of this paragraph exempt it from the provisions

 8  of paragraph (a) to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the

 9  department that it meets the requirements of this paragraph.

10         (3)  No person may obtain a preneed license certificate

11  of authority under this chapter for the preneed sale of

12  merchandise or services unless such person or its agent, in

13  the case of a corporate entity, holds a license as a funeral

14  establishment, or cemetery company, or registration as a

15  direct disposal establishment, or monument establishment under

16  chapter 470.

17         (4)  The provisions of this section do not apply to

18  religious-institution-owned cemeteries exempt under s.

19  497.260(1)(d) 497.003(1)(d), in counties with a population of

20  at least 960,000 persons on July 1, 1996, with respect to the

21  sale to the religious institution's members and their families

22  of interment rights, mausoleums, crypts, cremation niches,

23  cremation interment containers, vaults, liners, urns,

24  memorials, vases, foundations, memorial bases, floral

25  arrangements, monuments, markers, engraving, and the opening

26  and closing of interment rights, mausoleums, crypts, and

27  cremation niches, and cremation interment containers, if such

28  cemeteries have engaged in the sale of preneed contracts prior

29  to October 1, 1993, and maintain a positive net worth at the

30  end of each fiscal year of the cemetery.

31  


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 1         Section 102.  Section 497.407, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.453, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

 5         s. 497.407, F.S., for present text.)

 6         497.453  Application for preneed license, procedures

 7  and criteria; renewal; reports.--

 8         (1)  PRENEED LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

 9         (a)  A person seeking a license to enter into preneed

10  contracts shall apply for such licensure using forms

11  prescribed by rule.

12         (b)  The application shall require the name, business

13  address, residence address, date and place of birth or

14  incorporation, and business phone number, of applicant and all

15  principals of applicant. The application shall require the

16  applicant's social security number, or if the applicant is an

17  entity, its federal tax identification number.

18         (c)  The application may require information as to the

19  applicant's financial resources.

20         (d)  The application may require information as to the

21  educational and employment history of an individual applicant;

22  and as to applicants that are not natural persons, the

23  business and employment history of the applicant and

24  principals of applicant.

25         (e)  The application shall require the applicant to

26  disclose whether the applicant or any of applicant's

27  principals has ever been convicted or found guilty of, or

28  entered a plea of no contest to, regardless of adjudication,

29  any crime in any jurisdiction.

30         (f)  The application shall require the applicant to

31  disclose whether the applicant or any of applicant's


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 1  principals has ever had a license or the authority to practice

 2  a profession or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied,

 3  or otherwise acted against or disciplined, by the licensing

 4  authority of any jurisdiction. A licensing authority's

 5  acceptance of a relinquishment of licensure, stipulation,

 6  consent order, or other settlement, offered in response to or

 7  in anticipation of the filing of charges against the license,

 8  shall be construed as action against the license.

 9         (g)  The application shall require the applicant and

10  its principals to provide fingerprints in accordance with part

11  I of this chapter.

12         (h)  The application shall state the name and license

13  number of the funeral establishment, cemetery company, direct

14  disposal establishment, or monument establishment, under whose

15  license the preneed application is made.

16         (i)  The application shall state the types of preneed

17  contracts proposed to be written.

18         (j)  The application shall disclose the existence of

19  all preneed contracts for service or merchandise entered into

20  by the applicant, or by any other entity under common control

21  with the applicant, without or prior to authorization under

22  this section or predecessors to this section. As to each such

23  contract the applicant shall disclose the name and address of

24  the contract purchaser, the status of the contract, and what

25  steps or measures the applicant has taken to ensure

26  performance of unfulfilled contracts, setting forth the

27  treatment and status of funds received from the customer in

28  regard to the contract, and stating the name and address of

29  any institution where such funds are deposited and the number

30  used by the institution to identify the account. With respect

31  to contracts entered into before January 1, 1983, an


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 1  application to issue or renew a preneed license may not be

 2  denied solely on the basis of such disclosure. The purchaser

 3  of any such contract may not be required to liquidate the

 4  account if such account was established before July 1, 1965.

 5  Information disclosed may be used by the licensing authority

 6  to notify the contract purchaser and the institution in which

 7  such funds are deposited should the holder of a preneed be

 8  unable to fulfill the requirements of the contract.

 9         (k)  The application shall require the applicant to

10  demonstrate that applicant complies and will comply with all

11  requirements for preneed contract licensure under this

12  chapter.

13         (l)  The application may require any other information

14  considered necessary by the department or board to meet its

15  responsibilities under this chapter.

16         (m)  The application shall be sworn to and signed by

17  the applicant if a natural person, or by the president of an

18  applicant that is not a natural person.

19         (n)  The application shall be accompanied by a

20  nonrefundable fee as determined by licensing authority rule

21  but not to exceed $500.

22         (2)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS.--A duly completed

23  application for licensure under this section, accompanied by

24  the required fees, shall be approved and license issued, if

25  the licensing authority determines that the following

26  conditions are met:

27         (a)  The application is made by a funeral

28  establishment, cemetery company, direct disposal

29  establishment, or monument establishment, or on behalf of one

30  of the preceding licensees by its agent in the case of a

31  


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 1  corporate entity, licensed and in good standing under this

 2  chapter.

 3         (b)  Applicant meets net worth requirements specified

 4  by rule of the licensing authority.

 5         (c)  Applicant has and will have the ability to

 6  discharge her or his liabilities as they become due in the

 7  normal course of business, and has and will have sufficient

 8  funds available during the calendar year to perform her or his

 9  obligations under her or his contracts.

10         (d)  If the applicant or any entity under common

11  control with the applicant has entered into preneed contracts

12  prior to being authorized to do so under the laws of this

13  state:

14         1.  The licensing authority determines that adequate

15  provision has been made to ensure the performance of such

16  contracts.

17         2.  The licensing authority determines that the

18  improper sale of such preneed contracts prior to authorization

19  under this chapter does not indicate , under the facts of the

20  particular application in issue, that applicant has a

21  disregard of the laws of this state such as would expose the

22  public to unreasonable risk if the applicant were issued a

23  preneed license.

24         3.  Nothing in this section shall imply any

25  authorization to enter into preneed contracts without

26  authorization under this chapter.

27         (e)  Neither applicant nor applicant's principals have

28  a demonstrated history of conducting their business affairs to

29  the detriment of the public.

30         (f)  Applicant and applicant's principals are of good

31  character and have no demonstrated history of lack of


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 1  trustworthiness or integrity in business or professional

 2  matters.

 3         (g)  The applicant does and will comply with all other

 4  requirements of this chapter relating to preneed licensure.

 5         (3)  ISSUANCE OF LICENSES ON PROBATIONARY STATUS.--It

 6  is the policy of this state to encourage competition for the

 7  public benefit in the preneed contract business by, among

 8  other means, the entry of new licensees into that business. To

 9  facilitate issuance of licenses concerning applications judged

10  by the licensing authority to be borderline as to

11  qualification for licensure, the licensing authority may issue

12  a new license under this section on a probationary basis,

13  subject to conditions specified by the licensing authority on

14  a case-by-case basis, which conditions may impose special

15  monitoring, reporting, and restrictions on operations for up

16  to the first 12 months of licensure, to ensure the licensee's

17  responsibleness, competency, financial stability, and

18  compliance with this chapter. Provided, no such probationary

19  license shall be issued unless the licensing authority

20  determines that issuance would not pose an unreasonable risk

21  to the public, and the licensing authority must within 12

22  months after issuance of the license either remove the

23  probationary status or determine that the licensee is not

24  qualified for licensure under this chapter and institute

25  proceedings for revocation of licensure.

26         (4)  CHANGE IN CONTROL SUBSEQUENT TO LICENSURE.--

27         (a)  Each licensee under this section must provide

28  notice as required by rule prior to any change in control of

29  the licensee. Any such change is subject to disapproval or to

30  reasonable conditions imposed by the licensing authority, for

31  the protection of the public to ensure compliance with this


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 1  chapter, based upon criteria established by rule, which

 2  criteria shall promote the purposes of this part in protecting

 3  the consumer.

 4         (b)  The licensing authority may authorize the transfer

 5  of a preneed license and establish by rule a fee for the

 6  transfer in an amount not to exceed $500. Upon receipt of an

 7  application for transfer, the executive director may grant a

 8  temporary preneed license to the proposed transferee, based

 9  upon criteria established by the licensing authority by rule,

10  which criteria shall promote the purposes of this chapter in

11  protecting the consumer. Such a temporary preneed license

12  shall expire at the conclusion of the next regular meeting of

13  the board unless renewed by the board. The licensing authority

14  may by rule establish forms and procedures for the

15  implementation of this paragraph.

16         (5)  RENEWAL OF LICENSES.--

17         (a)  A preneed license shall expire annually on June 1,

18  unless renewed, or at such other time or times as may be

19  provided by rule. The application for renewal of the license

20  shall be on forms prescribed by rule and shall be accompanied

21  a renewal fee as specified in paragraph (c).

22         (b)  Within 3 months after the end of its fiscal

23  period, or within an extension of time therefore, as the

24  department for good cause may grant, the licensee shall file

25  with the department a full and true statement of her or his

26  financial condition, transactions, and affairs, prepared on a

27  basis as adopted by rule, as of the end of the preceding

28  fiscal period or at such other time or times as may be

29  required by rule, together with such other information and

30  data which may be required by rule. To facilitate uniformity

31  


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 1  in financial statements and to facilitate department analysis,

 2  there may be adopted by rule a form for financial statements.

 3         (c)  Each annual application for renewal of a preneed

 4  license shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee as

 5  follows:

 6         1.  For a preneed licensee with no preneed contract

 7  sales during the immediately preceding year.............$ 300.

 8         2.  For a preneed licensee with at least 1 but fewer

 9  than 50 preneed contract sales during the immediately

10  preceding year...........................................$400.

11         3.  For a preneed licensee with at least 50 but fewer

12  than 250 preneed contract sales during the immediately

13  preceding year...........................................$500.

14         4.  For a preneed licensee with at least 250 but fewer

15  than 1,000 preneed contract sales during the immediately

16  preceding year...........................................$850.

17         5.  For a preneed licensee with at least 1,000 but

18  fewer than 2,500 preneed contract sales during the immediately

19  preceding ear..........................................$1,500.

20         6.  For a preneed licensee with at least 2,500 but

21  fewer than 5,000 preneed contract sales during the immediately

22  preceding year.........................................$2,500.

23         7.  For a preneed licensee with at least 5,000 but

24  fewer than 15,000 preneed contract sales during the

25  immediately preceding year.............................$6,000.

26         8.  For a preneed licensee with at least 15,000 but

27  fewer than 30,000 preneed contract sales during the

28  immediately preceding year............................$12,500.

29         9.  For a preneed licensee with 30,000 preneed contract

30  sales or more during the immediately preceding year...$18,500.

31  


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 1         (d)  An application for renewal shall disclose the

 2  existence of all preneed contracts for service or merchandise

 3  funded by any method other than a method permitted by this

 4  chapter, which contracts are known to the applicant and were

 5  entered into by the applicant, or any other entity under

 6  common control with the applicant, during the annual license

 7  period then ending. Such disclosure shall include the name and

 8  address of the contract purchaser, the name and address of the

 9  institution where such funds are deposited, and the number

10  used by the institution to identify the account.

11         (e)  In addition to any other penalty that may be

12  provided for under this chapter, there may be levied a late

13  fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not to

14  exceed $50 a day for each day the preneed licensee fails to

15  file its annual statement, and there may be levied a late fee

16  as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed

17  $50 a day for each day the preneed licensee fails to file the

18  statement of activities of the trust. Upon notice to the

19  preneed licensee by the department that the preneed licensee

20  has failed to file the annual statement or the statement of

21  activities of the trust, the preneed licensee's authority to

22  sell preneed contracts shall cease while such default

23  continues.

24         (6)  QUARTERLY PAYMENTS.--In addition to other amounts

25  required to be paid by this section, each preneed licensee

26  shall pay to the Regulatory Trust Fund an amount established

27  by rule not to exceed $10 for each preneed contract entered

28  into. This amount must be paid within 60 days after the end of

29  each quarter. These funds must be used to defray the cost of

30  in administering the provisions of this part.

31         (7)  BRANCH OPERATIONS AND LICENSURE.--


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 1         (a)  Any person or entity that is part of a common

 2  business enterprise that has a preneed license issued pursuant

 3  to this section and desires to operate under a name other than

 4  that of the common business enterprise, may submit an

 5  application on a form adopted by rule to become a branch

 6  licensee. The application shall be accompanied by an

 7  application fee as determined by licensing authority rule but

 8  not to exceed $300.

 9         (b)  Upon a determination that such applicant qualifies

10  to sell preneed contracts under this part except for the

11  requirements of paragraph (2)(c), and if the preneed licensee

12  meets the requirements of such paragraph and is in compliance

13  with all requirements of this part regarding its preneed

14  license and operations thereunder, a branch license shall be

15  issued.

16         (c)  Branch licenses shall be renewed annually by

17  payment of a renewal fee set by licensing authority rule and

18  not to exceed $300. Branch licenses may be renewed only so

19  long as the preneed license of the sponsoring preneed licensee

20  remains in good standing.

21         (d)  Violations of this part by the branch shall be

22  deemed to be violations of this part by its sponsoring preneed

23  licensee, unless the licensing authority determines that

24  extenuating circumstances indicate that it would be unjust to

25  attribute the branch's misconduct to the sponsoring preneed

26  licensee. Preneed sales of the branch shall be deemed to be

27  sales of the sponsoring licensee for purposes of renewal fees

28  and trust requirements under this chapter.

29         (e)  The sponsoring preneed licensee shall be

30  responsible for performance of preneed contracts entered into

31  


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 1  by its branches if the branch does not timely fulfill any such

 2  contract.

 3         (8)  ANNUAL TRUST REPORTS.--On or before April 1 of

 4  each year, the preneed licensee shall file in the form

 5  prescribed by rule a full and true statement as to the

 6  activities of any trust established by it pursuant to this

 7  part for the preceding calendar year.

 8         (9)  DEPOSIT OF FUNDS.--All sums collected under this

 9  section shall be deposited to the credit of the Regulatory

10  Trust Fund.

11         Section 103.  Section 497.409, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 497.454, Florida Statutes, and amended

13  to read:

14         497.454 497.409  Approval of preneed contract and

15  related forms.--

16         (1)  Preneed contract forms and related forms shall be

17  filed with and approved by the licensing authority prior to

18  use, pursuant to procedures specified by rule board. The

19  licensing authority board may not approve any preneed contract

20  form that does not provide for sequential prenumbering

21  thereon.

22         (2)  A form filed for approval under this section shall

23  be approved unless it is determined that it:

24         (a)  Is in any respect in violation of, or does not

25  comply with, this chapter.

26         (b)  Contains, or incorporates by reference any

27  inconsistent, ambiguous, or misleading clauses, or exceptions

28  and conditions which deceptively affect the benefits

29  purportedly provided to the customer in the general terms of

30  the contract.

31  


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 1         (c)  Has any title, heading, or other indication of its

 2  contents which is misleading.

 3         (d)  Is printed or otherwise reproduced in such manner

 4  as to render any material provision substantially illegible,

 5  or contains variations in print size which de-emphasize

 6  provisions which limit or restrict the customers rights under

 7  the contract.

 8         (e)  Contains provisions that are unfair or inequitable

 9  or contrary to the public policy of this state or that

10  encourage misrepresentation.

11         (f)  Does not provide for the specification in

12  reasonable detail of the type, size, and design of merchandise

13  and the description of service to be delivered or performed.

14         (3)(2)  Specific disclosure regarding the preneed

15  licensee's certificateholder's ability to select either trust

16  funding or the financial responsibility alternative as set

17  forth in s. 497.461 497.423 or s. 497.425 in connection with

18  the receipt of preneed contract proceeds is required in the

19  preneed contract.

20         Section 104.  Section 497.411, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 497.455, Florida Statutes, and amended

22  to read:

23         497.455 497.411  Nonconforming contracts.--Any preneed

24  contract that requires the moneys paid to the seller or

25  trustee to be placed in trust and fails to comply with s.

26  497.458 497.417 shall comply with and be construed under s.

27  497.464 497.429.

28         Section 105.  Section 497.413, Florida Statutes, is

29  renumbered as section 497.456, Florida Statutes, and amended

30  to read:

31  


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 1         497.456 497.413  Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer

 2  Protection Trust Fund.--

 3         (1)  There is hereby created in the department the

 4  Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer Protection Trust Fund to be

 5  administered and regulated by the licensing authority board.

 6         (2)  Within 60 days after the end of each calendar

 7  quarter, for each preneed contract written during the quarter

 8  and not canceled within 30 days after the date of the

 9  execution of the contract, each preneed licensee

10  certificateholder, whether funding preneed contracts by the

11  sale of insurance or by establishing a trust pursuant to s.

12  497.458 or s. 497.464 497.417 or s. 497.429, shall remit the

13  sum of $2.50 for each preneed contract having a purchase price

14  of $1,500 or less, and the sum of $5 for each preneed contract

15  having a purchase price in excess of $1,500; and each preneed

16  licensee certificateholder utilizing s. 497.461 or s. 497.462

17  497.423 or s. 497.425 shall remit the sum of $5 for each

18  preneed contract having a purchase price of $1,500 or less,

19  and the sum of $10 for each preneed contract having a purchase

20  price in excess of $1,500.

21         (3)  In addition to the amounts specified in subsection

22  (2), each remittance shall contain such other additional

23  information as needed by the licensing authority board to

24  carry out its responsibilities under this chapter and as

25  prescribed by rule of the board.

26         (4)  All funds received by the licensing authority

27  board or the department pursuant to this section shall be

28  deposited into the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer

29  Protection Trust Fund.

30         (5)  The amounts remitted for deposit into the Preneed

31  Funeral Contract Consumer Protection Trust Fund shall not be


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 1  deemed proceeds from the sale of a preneed contract within the

 2  meaning of this chapter.

 3         (6)  Upon the commencement of a delinquency proceeding

 4  pursuant to this chapter against a preneed licensee

 5  certificateholder, the licensing authority board may use up to

 6  50 percent of the balance of the trust fund not already

 7  committed to a prior delinquency proceeding solely for the

 8  purpose of providing restitution to preneed contract

 9  purchasers and their estates due to a preneed licensee's

10  certificateholder's failure to provide the benefits of a

11  preneed contract or failure to refund the appropriate

12  principal amount by reason of cancellation thereof. The

13  balance of the trust fund shall be determined as of the date

14  of the delinquency proceeding.

15         (7)  In any situation in which a delinquency proceeding

16  has not commenced, the licensing authority board may, in its

17  discretion, use the trust fund for the purpose of providing

18  restitution to any consumer, owner, or beneficiary of a

19  preneed contract or similar regulated arrangement under this

20  chapter entered into after June 30, 1977. If, after

21  investigation, the licensing authority board determines that a

22  preneed licensee certificateholder has breached a preneed

23  contract by failing to provide benefits or an appropriate

24  refund, or that a provider, who is a former preneed licensee

25  certificateholder or an establishment which has been regulated

26  under this chapter or chapter 470, has sold a preneed contract

27  and has failed to fulfill the arrangement or provide the

28  appropriate refund, and such preneed licensee

29  certificateholder or provider does not provide or does not

30  possess adequate funds to provide appropriate refunds,

31  payments from the trust fund may be authorized by the


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 1  licensing authority board. In considering whether payments

 2  shall be made or when considering who will be responsible for

 3  such payments, the licensing authority board shall consider

 4  whether the preneed licensee certificateholder or previous

 5  provider has been acquired by a successor who is or should be

 6  responsible for the liabilities of the defaulting entity. With

 7  respect to preneed contracts funded by life insurance,

 8  payments from the fund shall be made: if the insurer is

 9  insolvent, but only to the extent that funds are not available

10  through the liquidation proceeding of the insurer; or if the

11  preneed licensee certificateholder is unable to perform under

12  the contract and the insurance proceeds are not sufficient to

13  cover the cost of the merchandise and services contracted for.

14  In no event shall the licensing authority board approve

15  payments in excess of the insurance policy limits unless it

16  determines that at the time of sale of the preneed contract,

17  the insurance policy would have paid for the services and

18  merchandise contracted for. Such monetary relief shall be in

19  an amount as the licensing authority board  may determine and

20  shall be payable in such manner and upon such conditions and

21  terms as the licensing authority board may prescribe. However,

22  with respect to preneed contracts to be funded pursuant to s.

23  497.458, s. 497.459, s. 497.461, or s. 497.462 s. 497.417, s.

24  497.419, s. 497.423, or s. 497.425, any restitution made

25  pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed, as to any single

26  contract or arrangement, the lesser of the gross amount paid

27  under the contract or 4 percent of the uncommitted assets of

28  the trust fund. With respect to preneed contracts funded by

29  life insurance policies, any restitution shall not exceed, as

30  to any single contract or arrangement, the lesser of the face

31  amount of the policy, the actual cost of the arrangement


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 1  contracted for, or 4 percent of the uncommitted assets of the

 2  trust fund. The total of all restitutions made to all

 3  applicants under this subsection in a single fiscal year shall

 4  not exceed the greater of 30 percent of the uncommitted assets

 5  of the trust fund as of the end of the most recent fiscal year

 6  or $120,000. The department may use moneys in the trust fund

 7  to contract with independent vendors pursuant to chapter 287

 8  to administer the requirements of this subsection.

 9         (8)  All moneys deposited in the Preneed Funeral

10  Contract Consumer Protection Trust Fund together with all

11  accumulated income shall be used only for the purposes

12  expressed authorized by this chapter in this section and shall

13  not be subject to any liens, charges, judgments, garnishments,

14  or other creditor's claims against the preneed licensee

15  certificateholder, any trustee utilized by the preneed

16  licensee certificateholder, any company providing a surety

17  bond as specified in this chapter, or any purchaser of a

18  preneed contract. No preneed contract purchaser shall have any

19  vested rights in the trust fund.

20         (9)  If restitution is paid to a preneed contract

21  purchaser or her or his estate in accordance with this

22  section, the amount of restitution paid shall not exceed the

23  gross amount of the principal payments made by the purchaser

24  on its contract.

25         (10)  Whenever the licensing authority board makes

26  payments from the trust fund to a purchaser or its estate, the

27  licensing authority board shall be subrogated to the

28  purchaser's rights under the contract, and any amounts so

29  collected by the licensing authority board shall be deposited

30  in the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer Protection Trust

31  Fund.


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 1         (11)  No person shall make, publish, disseminate,

 2  circulate, or place before the public, or cause, directly or

 3  indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated,

 4  or placed before the public, in a newspaper, magazine, or

 5  other publication, or in the form of a notice, circular,

 6  pamphlet, letter, or poster, or over any radio station or

 7  television station, or in any other way, any advertisement,

 8  announcement, or statement which uses the existence of the

 9  Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer Protection Trust Fund for

10  the purpose of sales, solicitation, or inducement to purchase

11  any form of preneed contract covered under this chapter.

12         (12)  Notwithstanding the fee structure in subsection

13  (2), the department shall review the status of the trust fund

14  annually, and if it determines that the uncommitted trust fund

15  balance exceeds $1 million, the licensing authority board may

16  by rule lower the required payments to the trust fund to an

17  amount not less than $1 per preneed contract.

18         (13)  Regarding the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer

19  Protection Trust Fund, the licensing authority shall have

20  authority to adopt rules for the implementation of this

21  section, including:

22         (a)  Forms to be used in filing claims against the

23  trust fund.

24         (b)  Procedures to be used for filing claims against

25  the trust fund.

26         (c)  Information and supporting documentation that must

27  be provided by claimants to support claims against the trust

28  fund.

29         (d)  Procedures for the investigation of claims against

30  the trust fund.

31  


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 1         (e)  Criteria to be used in determining whether a claim

 2  is allowable and in what amount.

 3         (f)  Forms and procedures to be used by preneed

 4  licensees in making remittances to the trust fund required by

 5  this chapter.

 6         Section 106.  Section 497.415, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 497.457, Florida Statutes, and amended

 8  to read:

 9         497.457 497.415  Ownership of proceeds received on

10  contracts.--

11         (1)  Subject to the provisions of this chapter, all

12  funds paid pursuant to a preneed contract by a purchaser to a

13  preneed licensee certificateholder shall be the sole property

14  of, and within the full dominion and control of, said preneed

15  licensee certificateholder.

16         (2)  Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the

17  relationship between the purchaser of a preneed contract and a

18  preneed licensee certificateholder shall be deemed for all

19  purposes as a debtor-creditor relationship.

20         Section 107.  Section 497.417, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 497.458, Florida Statutes, and amended

22  to read:

23         497.458 497.417  Disposition of proceeds received on

24  contracts.--

25         (1)(a)  Any person who is paid, collects, or receives

26  funds under a preneed contract for funeral services or

27  merchandise or burial services or merchandise shall deposit an

28  amount at least equal to the sum of 70 percent of the purchase

29  price collected for all services sold and facilities rented;

30  100 percent of the purchase price collected for all cash

31  advance items sold; and 30 percent of the purchase price


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 1  collected or 110 percent of the wholesale cost, whichever is

 2  greater, for each item of merchandise sold.

 3         (b)  The method of determining wholesale cost shall be

 4  established by rule of the licensing authority board and shall

 5  be based upon the preneed licensee's certificateholder's

 6  stated wholesale cost for the 12-month period beginning July 1

 7  during which the initial deposit to the preneed trust fund for

 8  the preneed contract is made.

 9         (c)  Such deposits shall be made within 30 days after

10  the end of the calendar month in which payment is received,

11  under the terms of a revocable trust instrument entered into

12  with a trust company operating pursuant to chapter 660, with a

13  national or state bank holding trust powers, or with a federal

14  or state savings and loan association holding trust powers.

15         (d)  The trustee shall take title to the property

16  conveyed to the trust for the purpose of investing,

17  protecting, and conserving it for the preneed licensee

18  certificateholder; collecting income; and distributing the

19  principal and income as prescribed in this chapter. The

20  preneed licensee certificateholder is prohibited from sharing

21  in the discharge of these responsibilities, except that the

22  preneed licensee certificateholder may request the trustee to

23  invest in tax-free investments and may appoint an adviser to

24  the trustee. The licensing authority may adopt rules limiting

25  or otherwise specifying the degree to which the trustee may

26  rely on the investment advice of an investment adviser

27  appointed by the preneed licensee. The licensing authority may

28  adopt rules limiting or prohibiting payment of fees by the

29  trust to investment advisors that are employees or principals

30  of the licensee to whom the trust fund relates.

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 1         (e)  The trust agreement shall be submitted to the

 2  licensing authority board for approval and filing prior to

 3  use. The licensing authority may adopt rules specifying

 4  procedures and establishing criteria and requirements not

 5  inconsistent with this chapter for approval of trusts

 6  submitted under this paragraph.

 7         (f)  The deposited funds shall be held in trust, both

 8  as to principal and income earned thereon, and shall remain

 9  intact, except that the cost of the operation of the trust or

10  trust account authorized by this section may be deducted from

11  the income earned thereon.

12         (g)  The preneed contract purchaser shall have no

13  interest whatsoever in, or power whatsoever over, funds

14  deposited in trust pursuant to this section.

15         (h)  In no event may said funds be loaned to a preneed

16  licensee certificateholder, an affiliate of a preneed licensee

17  certificateholder, or any person directly or indirectly

18  engaged in the burial, funeral home, or cemetery business.

19         (i)  Furthermore, The preneed licensee's

20  certificateholder's interest in said trust shall not be

21  pledged as collateral for any loans, debts, or liabilities of

22  the preneed licensee certificateholder and shall not be

23  transferred to any person without the prior written approval

24  from the department and the trustee which shall not be

25  unreasonably withheld.

26         (j)  Even though the preneed licensee certificateholder

27  shall be deemed and treated as the settlor and beneficiary of

28  said trust for all purposes, all of said trust funds are

29  exempt from all claims of creditors of the preneed licensee

30  certificateholder except as to the claims of the preneed

31  


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 1  contract purchaser, her or his representative, the board, or

 2  the department.

 3         (2)  Except as provided in s. 497.283 497.337, the

 4  delivery of funeral merchandise before the death of the person

 5  for whom it is purchased does not constitute performance or

 6  fulfillment, either wholly or in part, of any preneed contract

 7  entered into after July 1, 1977.

 8         (3)(a)  The trustee shall make regular valuations of

 9  assets it holds in trust and provide a report of such

10  valuations to the preneed licensee certificateholder at least

11  quarterly.

12         (b)  Any person who withdraws appreciation in the value

13  of trust, other than the pro rata portion of such appreciation

14  which may be withdrawn upon the death of a contract

15  beneficiary or upon cancellation of a preneed contract, shall

16  be required to make additional deposits from her or his own

17  funds to restore the aggregate value of assets to the value of

18  funds deposited in trust, but excluding from the funds

19  deposited those funds paid out upon preneed contracts which

20  such person has fully performed or which have been otherwise

21  withdrawn, as provided for in this chapter.

22         (c)  The preneed licensee certificateholder shall be

23  liable to third parties to the extent that income from the

24  trust is not sufficient to pay the expenses of the trust.

25         (4)(a)  Trust funds shall not be invested in or loaned

26  to or for the benefit of any business venture in which the

27  preneed licensee, its principals, or persons related by blood

28  or marriage to the licensee or its principals, have a direct

29  or indirect interest, without the prior approval of the

30  licensing authority.

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 1         (b)  Trust funds shall not be loaned to or for the

 2  benefit of the preneed licensee, its principals, or persons

 3  related by blood or marriage to the licensee or its

 4  principals, without the prior approval of the licensing

 5  authority.

 6         (c)  No approval of such loans or investments shall be

 7  given unless it be shown by clear and convincing evidence that

 8  such loan or investment would be in the interest of the

 9  preneed contract holders whose contracts are secured by the

10  trust funds.

11         (d)  The licensing authority may adopt rules exempting

12  from the prohibition of this subsection, pursuant to criteria

13  established in such rule, the investment of trust funds in

14  investments, such as widely and publicly traded stocks and

15  bonds, notwithstanding that the licensee, its principals, or

16  persons related by blood or marriage to the licensee or its

17  principals have an interest by investment in the same entity,

18  where neither the licensee, its principals, or persons related

19  by blood or marriage to the licensee or its principals, have

20  the ability to control the entity invested in, and it would be

21  in the interest of the preneed contract holders whose

22  contracts are secured by the trust funds, to allow the

23  investment.

24         (5)(4)  The trustee of the trust established pursuant

25  to this section shall only have the power to:

26         (a)  Invest in investments as prescribed in s. 215.47

27  and exercise the powers set forth in part IV of chapter 737,

28  provided that the licensing authority board may by order

29  require the trustee to liquidate or dispose of any investment

30  within 30 days after such order, or within such other times as

31  the order may direct. The licensing authority may issue such


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 1  order if it determines that the investment violates any

 2  provision of this chapter or is not in the best interests of

 3  the preneed contract holders whose contracts are secured by

 4  the trust funds.

 5         (b)  Borrow money up to an aggregate amount of 10

 6  percent of trust assets, at interest rates then prevailing

 7  from any individual, bank, insurance company, or other source,

 8  irrespective of whether any such person is then acting as

 9  trustee, and to create security interests in no more than 10

10  percent of trust assets by mortgage, pledge, or otherwise,

11  upon the terms and conditions and for such purposes as the

12  trustee may deem advisable.

13         (c)  Commingle the property of the trust with the

14  property of any other trust established pursuant to this

15  chapter and make corresponding allocations and divisions of

16  assets, liabilities, income, and expenses.

17         (6)(5)  The preneed licensee certificateholder, at her

18  or his election, shall have the right and power, at any time,

19  to revest in it title to the trust assets, or its pro rata

20  share thereof, provided it has complied with s. 497.461.:

21         (a)  Section 497.423;

22         (b)  Contracts written prior to July 1, 2001, under s.

23  497.425; or

24         (c)  Contracts written prior to December 31, 2004,

25  under s. 497.425 for any certificateholder authorized to do

26  business in this state that has total bonded liability

27  exceeding $100 million as of July 1, 2001.

28         (7)(6)  Notwithstanding anything contained in this

29  chapter to the contrary, the preneed licensee

30  certificateholder, via its election to sell or offer for sale

31  preneed contracts subject to this section, shall represent and


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 1  warrant, and is hereby deemed to have done such, to all

 2  federal and Florida taxing authorities, as well as to all

 3  potential and actual preneed contract purchasers, that:

 4         (a)  Section 497.461 497.423 is a viable option

 5  available to it at any and all relevant times;

 6         (b)  Section 497.462 497.425 is a viable option

 7  available to it at any and all relevant times for contracts

 8  written prior to July 1, 2001, for funds not held in trust as

 9  of July 1, 2001; or

10         (c)  For any preneed licensee certificateholder

11  authorized to do business in this state that has total bonded

12  liability exceeding $100 million as of July 1, 2001, s.

13  497.462 497.425 is a viable option to it at any and all

14  relevant times for contracts written prior to December 31,

15  2004, for funds not held in trust as of July 1, 2001.

16         (8)(7)  If in the preneed licensee's

17  certificateholder's opinion it does not have the ability to

18  select the financial responsibility alternative of s. 497.461

19  or s. 497.462 497.423 or s. 497.425, then the preneed license

20  it shall not have the right to sell or solicit preneed

21  contracts pursuant to this section.

22         (9)  The amounts required to be placed in trust by this

23  section for contracts previously entered into shall be as

24  follows:

25         (a)  For contracts entered into before October 1, 1993,

26  the trust amounts as amended by s. 6, chapter 83-816, Laws of

27  Florida, shall apply.

28         (b)  For contracts entered into on or after October 1,

29  1993, the trust amounts as amended by s. 98, chapter 93-399,

30  Laws of Florida shall apply.

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 1         (8)  This section, as amended by s. 6, chapter 83-316,

 2  Laws of Florida, applies to preneed contracts entered into

 3  before October 1, 1993, and as amended by s. 98, chapter

 4  93-399, Laws of Florida, applies to preneed contracts entered

 5  into on or after October 1, 1993.

 6         Section 108.  Section 497.419, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 497.459, Florida Statutes, and amended

 8  to read:

 9         497.459 497.419  Cancellation of, or default on,

10  preneed contracts.--

11         (1)  CANCELLATION BY CUSTOMER WITHIN 30 DAYS.-- A

12  purchaser, by providing written notice to the preneed licensee

13  certificateholder, may cancel a preneed contract within 30

14  days of the date that the contract was executed provided that

15  the burial rights, merchandise and services have not yet been

16  used. Upon providing such notice, the purchaser shall be

17  entitled to a complete refund of the amount paid, except for

18  the amount allocable to any burial rights, merchandise or

19  services that have been used, and shall be released from all

20  obligations under the contract. This subsection shall apply to

21  all items that are purchased as part of a preneed contract,

22  including burial rights, regardless of whether such burial

23  rights are purchased as part of a preneed contract or

24  purchased separately.

25         (2)  CANCELLATION BY PURCHASER AFTER 30 DAYS.--

26         (a)  A purchaser, by providing written notice to the

27  preneed licensee certificateholder , may cancel the services,

28  facilities, and cash advance items portions of a preneed

29  contract at any time, and shall be entitled to a full refund

30  of the purchase price allocable to such items. Any accumulated

31  


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 1  earnings allocable to such preneed contract shall be paid to

 2  the preneed licensee certificateholder upon such cancellation.

 3         (b)(3)  Subject to subparagraphs 1. and 2., paragraphs

 4  (a) and (b) a purchaser may cancel the merchandise portion of

 5  a preneed contract by providing written notice to the preneed

 6  licensee certificateholder, and shall be entitled to a full

 7  refund of the purchase price allocable to the specific item or

 8  items of merchandise that the preneed licensee

 9  certificateholder cannot or does not deliver in accordance

10  with this subsection.

11         1.(a)  Such refund shall be provided only if at the

12  time that the preneed licensee certificateholder is required

13  to fulfill its obligations under the preneed contract the

14  preneed licensee certificateholder does not or cannot comply

15  with the terms of the contract by actually delivering the

16  merchandise, within a reasonable time, depending upon the

17  nature of the merchandise purchased, after having been

18  requested to do so.

19         2.(b)  In order to fulfill its obligations under the

20  preneed contract, a preneed licensee certificateholder may

21  elect either or both of the following options:

22         a.1.  Subcontract with a person located outside the

23  preneed licensee's certificateholder's market area to provide

24  the merchandise; or

25         b.2.  Provide other items of equal or greater quality.

26         (3)(4)  REQUIRED DISCLOSURE.--Each preneed licensee

27  certificateholder shall provide in conspicuous type in its

28  contract that the contract purchaser may cancel the contract

29  and receive a full refund within 30 days of the date of

30  execution of the contract. The failure to make such provision

31  


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 1  shall not impair the contract purchaser's right to

 2  cancellation and refund as provided in this section.

 3         (4)(5)  BREACH OF CONTRACT BY SELLER.--Upon breach of

 4  contract or failure of the preneed licensee certificateholder

 5  to provide funeral merchandise or services under a preneed

 6  contract, the contract purchaser shall be entitled to a refund

 7  of all money paid on the contract. Such refund shall be made

 8  within 30 days after receipt by the preneed licensee

 9  certificateholder of the contract purchaser's written request

10  for refund.

11         (5)(6)  DEFAULT BY PURCHASER.--If a purchaser is 90

12  days past due in making payments on a preneed contract, the

13  contract shall be considered to be in default, and the preneed

14  licensee certificateholder shall be entitled to cancel the

15  contract, withdraw all funds in trust allocable to merchandise

16  items, and retain such funds as liquidated damages. Upon

17  making such withdrawal, the preneed licensee certificateholder

18  shall return all funds in trust allocable to services,

19  facilities, or cash advance items to the purchaser, provided

20  that the preneed licensee certificateholder has provided the

21  purchaser with 30 days' written notice of its intention to

22  exercise any of its rights under this provision. The board may

23  by rule specify the required format and content of the notice

24  required under this subsection and the manner in which the

25  notice shall be sent.

26         (6)(7)  OTHER PROVISIONS.--

27         (a)  All preneed contracts are cancelable and revocable

28  as provided in this section, provided that a preneed contract

29  does not restrict any contract purchaser who is a qualified

30  applicant for, or a recipient of, supplemental security

31  


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 1  income, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid from making her

 2  or his contract irrevocable.

 3         (b)  The amounts required to be refunded by this

 4  section for contracts previously entered into shall be as

 5  follows:

 6         1.  For contracts entered into before October 1, 1993,

 7  the refund amounts as amended by s. 7, chapter 83-816, Laws of

 8  Florida, shall apply.

 9         2.  For contracts entered into on or after October 1,

10  1993, the refund amounts as amended by s. 99, chapter 93-399,

11  Laws of Florida, shall apply.

12         (8)  This section, as amended by s. 7, chapter 83-316,

13  Laws of Florida, applies to preneed contracts entered into

14  before October 1, 1993, and as amended by s. 98, chapter

15  93-399, Laws of Florida, applies to preneed contracts entered

16  into on or after October 1, 1993.

17         (c)(9)  Persons who purchase merchandise or burial

18  rights pursuant to this chapter shall have the right to sell,

19  alienate, or otherwise transfer the merchandise or burial

20  rights subject to and in accordance with rules adopted by the

21  licensing authority board.

22         (d)(10)  All refunds required to be made under this

23  section to a purchaser who has canceled a contract must be

24  made within 30 days after the date written notice of

25  cancellation is received by the preneed licensee

26  certificateholder.

27         Section 109.  Section 497.421, Florida Statutes, is

28  renumbered as section 497.460, Florida Statutes, and amended

29  to read:

30         497.460 497.421  Payment of funds upon death of named

31  beneficiary.--Disbursements of funds discharging any preneed


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 1  contract fulfilled after September 30, 1993, shall be made by

 2  the trustee to the preneed licensee certificateholder upon

 3  receipt of a certified copy of the death certificate of the

 4  contract beneficiary or satisfactory evidence as established

 5  by rule of the licensing authority the board that the preneed

 6  contract has been performed in whole or in part. However, if

 7  the contract is only partially performed, the disbursement

 8  shall only cover that portion of the contract performed. In

 9  the event of any contract default by the contract purchaser,

10  or in the event that the funeral merchandise or service or

11  burial merchandise or service contracted for is not provided

12  or is not desired by the heirs or personal representative of

13  the contract beneficiary, the trustee shall return, within 30

14  days after its receipt of a written request therefor, funds

15  paid on the contract to the preneed licensee certificateholder

16  or to its assigns, subject to the provisions of s. 497.459

17  497.419.

18         Section 110.  Section 497.423, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 497.461, Florida Statutes, and amended

20  to read:

21         497.461 497.423  Surety bonding Evidence of financial

22  responsibility  as alternative to trust deposit.--

23         (1)  In lieu of depositing funds into a trust as

24  required by s. 497.548(1) or s. 497.464 497.417(1) or s.

25  497.429, a preneed licensee certificateholder may elect

26  annually, at its discretion, to comply with this section by

27  filing annually a written request with, and receiving annual

28  approval from, the licensing authority board.

29         (2)  No preneed licensee certificateholder shall

30  utilize this section unless it has filed annually a written

31  


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 1  request with, and received approval by, the licensing

 2  authority board.

 3         (3)  The preneed licensee certificateholder receiving

 4  approval from the licensing authority board to comply with

 5  this section shall maintain compliance with this section at

 6  all times during the period this election is in effect.

 7         (4)  The preneed licensee's certificateholder's request

 8  to be governed by this section shall be in the form prescribed

 9  by rule by the licensing authority board and shall be

10  accompanied by, in addition to other information that the

11  licensing authority board may require by rule, the surety

12  bond, the audited financial statements, and proof of the other

13  requirements specified in this section, all as described in

14  this section.

15         (5)  For each 12-month period, or any part thereof, in

16  which this section is applicable, the electing preneed

17  licensee certificateholder shall maintain a bond, issued by a

18  surety company admitted to do business in this state, in an

19  amount at least equal to the sum of:

20         (a)  All amounts not currently in trust.,

21         (b)  An amount equal to the total purchase price for

22  all installed preneed contracts where the total purchase price

23  has not been collected, excluding those amounts already in

24  trust.,

25         (c)  All amounts the preneed licensee certificateholder

26  intends to remove from trust if the licensing authority board

27  approves the preneed licensee's certificateholder's request to

28  comply with this section., and

29         (d)  An amount equal to 70 percent of the total

30  purchase price for each preneed contract the preneed licensee

31  certificateholder expects to sell in the year for which the


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 1  preneed licensee certificateholder is electing to comply with

 2  this section.

 3         (6)  The surety bond shall be conditioned in such a

 4  manner to secure the faithful performance of all conditions of

 5  any preneed contracts for which the preneed licensee

 6  certificateholder was required to have covered by the amount

 7  of the bond, including refunds requested pursuant to ss.

 8  497.459 and 497.460 497.419 and 497.421. The surety bond shall

 9  also guarantee the financial responsibility of such preneed

10  licensee certificateholder against its default arising out of

11  any of its preneed contracts. The terms of the surety bond

12  shall cover liabilities arising from all moneys received by

13  the electing preneed licensee certificateholder from preneed

14  contracts for which the preneed licensee certificateholder was

15  required to have covered by the amount of the bond during the

16  time the bond is in effect, and the liability of the surety

17  shall continue until the contracts thereunder are fulfilled.

18  The bond shall be in favor of the state for the benefit of any

19  person damaged as a result of purchasing a preneed contract

20  from the preneed licensee certificateholder. The aggregate

21  liability of the surety to all persons for all breaches of the

22  conditions of the bonds shall in no event exceed the amount of

23  the bond. The per preneed contract liability shall not exceed

24  the amount of the funds received by the preneed licensee

25  certificateholder per preneed contract during the effective

26  period in which the bond is issued. The bond shall be filed

27  and maintained with the licensing authority board.

28         (7)(6)  The amount of the surety bond shall, upon order

29  of the licensing authority board, be increased if, in the

30  licensing authority's board's discretion, it finds such

31  increase to be warranted by the volume of preneed contracts


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 1  handled, or expected to be handled, by the preneed licensee

 2  certificateholder.

 3         (8)  The surety bond shall be in a form to be approved

 4  by the licensing authority board, and the licensing authority

 5  board shall have the right to disapprove any bond which does

 6  not provide assurance as provided in, and required by, this

 7  section.

 8         (9)(7)  The bond shall be maintained unimpaired for as

 9  long as the preneed licensee certificateholder continues in

10  business in this state and continues to utilize this section.

11  Whenever the preneed licensee certificateholder notifies the

12  licensing authority board that it no longer desires to be

13  governed by this section and furnishes to the licensing

14  authority board satisfactory proof that it has discharged or

15  otherwise adequately provided for all of its obligations to

16  its preneed contract purchasers covered by the bond, such as

17  by evidence satisfactory to the licensing authority board

18  demonstrating that s. 497.458 or s. 497.464 497.417 or s.

19  497.429 has been complied with, the licensing authority board

20  shall release the bond to the entitled parties, provided said

21  parties acknowledge receipt of same.

22         (10)(8)  No surety bond used to comply with this

23  section shall be canceled or subject to cancellation unless at

24  least 60 days' advance notice thereof, in writing, is filed

25  with the licensing authority board, by the surety company. The

26  cancellation of the bond shall not relieve the obligation of

27  the surety company for claims arising out of contracts issued

28  or otherwise covered before cancellation of the bond.

29         (11)  In the event that notice of cancellation

30  termination of the bond is filed with the licensing authority

31  board, the preneed licensee certificateholder insured


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 1  thereunder shall, within 30 days of the filing of the notice

 2  of termination with the licensing authority board, provide the

 3  licensing authority board with a replacement bond or with

 4  evidence which is satisfactory to the licensing authority

 5  board demonstrating that s. 497.458 or s. 497.464 497.417 or

 6  s. 497.429 has been fully complied with. If within 30 days of

 7  filing of the notice of termination with the licensing

 8  authority board no replacement bond acceptable to the

 9  licensing authority board or no evidence satisfactory to the

10  licensing authority board demonstrating that s. 497.458 or s.

11  497.464 497.417 or s. 497.429 has been complied with is filed

12  with the licensing authority board, the licensing authority

13  board shall suspend the license of the preneed licensee

14  certificateholder until the preneed licensee certificateholder

15  files a replacement bond acceptable to the board or

16  demonstrates to the satisfaction of the licensing authority

17  board that it has complied with s. 497.458 or s. 497.464

18  497.417 or s. 497.429.

19         (12)(9)  In lieu of the surety bond, the licensing

20  authority board may provide by rule for other forms of

21  security or insurance.

22         (13)(10)  Every preneed licensee certificateholder

23  electing to be governed by this section shall have its

24  financial statements, submitted to the department pursuant to

25  s. 497.453 497.407, audited by an independent public

26  accountant certified pursuant to chapter 473. The financial

27  statements shall contain, in accordance with generally

28  accepted accounting principles, for two or more consecutive

29  annual periods, the following:

30  

31  


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 1         (a)  The certified public accountant's unqualified

 2  opinion or, in the case of a qualified opinion, a qualified

 3  opinion acceptable to the licensing authority board, and:

 4         1.  A balance sheet;

 5         2.  A statement of income and expenses; and

 6         3.  A statement of changes in financial position.

 7         (b)  Notes to the financial statements considered

 8  customary or necessary for full disclosure and adequate

 9  understanding of the financial statements, financial

10  condition, and operation of the preneed licensee

11  certificateholder. The notes shall include a schedule, based

12  upon statutory accounting principles, indicating that the

13  preneed licensee certificateholder which has held a license

14  certificate pursuant to this chapter for less than 10 years

15  has a current ratio of no less than 3 to 1 of current assets

16  to current liabilities and net assets of at least $600,000 or

17  that the preneed licensee certificateholder which has held a

18  license certificate pursuant to this chapter for 10 years or

19  more has a current ratio of no less than 2 to 1 of current

20  assets to current liabilities and net assets of at least

21  $400,000.

22         (c)  An indication that the preneed licensee

23  certificateholder has sufficient funds available to perform

24  the obligations under all its preneed contracts.

25         (14)(11)  The licensing authority board may require

26  that the audited financial statements be prepared on a

27  calendar-year basis.

28         (15)(12)  The electing preneed licensee

29  certificateholder shall provide the licensing authority board

30  interim unaudited financial statements on a quarterly basis

31  demonstrating financial compliance with this section.


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 1         (16)(13)  In lieu of subsections (4)-(14) (4)-(11), a

 2  preneed licensee certificateholder with net assets of at least

 3  $25,000 may request to comply with this section by providing a

 4  written guarantee from a qualified guaranteeing organization.

 5  If the preneed licensee certificateholder so elects, the

 6  preneed licensee's certificateholder's requests to be governed

 7  by this section shall be in the form prescribed by rule the

 8  board and shall be accompanied by, in addition to other

 9  information the licensing authority board may require by rule,

10  a written guarantee approved by the licensing authority board

11  as meeting the requirements of this section from a qualified

12  guaranteeing organization, acceptable to the licensing

13  authority board, which:

14         (a)  Is either a preneed licensee certificateholder or

15  servicing agent.

16         (b)  Is a corporation formed under the laws of this

17  state or of another state, district, territory, or possession

18  of the United States.

19         (c)  Has been in operation for 10 or more years.

20         (d)  Submits to the licensing authority board its

21  annual financial statements audited by an independent public

22  accountant certified pursuant to chapter 473. The financial

23  statements shall contain, in accordance with generally

24  accepted accounting principles, for two or more consecutive

25  annual periods, the following:

26         1.  The certified public accountant's unqualified

27  opinion or, in the case of a qualified opinion, a qualified

28  opinion acceptable to the licensing authority board, and:

29         a.  A balance sheet;

30         b.  A statement of income and expenses; and

31         c.  A statement of changes in financial position.


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 1         2.  Notes to the financial statements considered

 2  customary or necessary for full disclosure and adequate

 3  understanding of the financial statements, financial

 4  condition, and operation of the preneed licensee

 5  certificateholder. The notes shall include a schedule, based

 6  upon statutory accounting principles, indicating that the

 7  guaranteeing organization has a current ratio of no less than

 8  2 to 1 of current assets to current liabilities and net assets

 9  of at least $250,000.

10         (e)  Has sufficient funds available to perform the

11  obligations under its guarantees.

12         (f)  Has complied with subsections (5)-(11) (5), (6),

13  (7), and (8), except that the bond shall be maintained by the

14  guaranteeing organization in the minimum aggregate principal

15  amount of $1 million.

16         (g)  Has principals, including directors, officers,

17  stockholders, employees, and agents that are of good moral

18  character and have reputations for fair dealing in business

19  matters, both as determined by the licensing authority board.

20         Section 111.  Section 497.425, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 497.462, Florida Statutes, and amended

22  to read:

23         497.462 497.425  Other alternatives to deposits under

24  s. 497.458 497.417.--

25         (1)(a)  As an alternative to the requirements of s.

26  497.458 497.417 that relate to trust funds for contracts

27  written prior to July 1, 2001, or that relate to trust funds

28  for contracts written prior to December 31, 2004, by any

29  preneed licensee certificateholder authorized to do business

30  in this state that has total bonded liability exceeding $100

31  million as of July 1, 2001, and subject to the other


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 1  restrictions of this section, a preneed licensee

 2  certificateholder may purchase a surety bond for funds not

 3  held in trust as of July 1, 2001, in an amount not less than

 4  the aggregate value of outstanding liabilities on undelivered

 5  preneed contracts for merchandise and services. For the

 6  purpose of this section, the term "outstanding liabilities"

 7  means the gross replacement or wholesale value of the preneed

 8  merchandise and services. The bond shall be made payable to

 9  the State of Florida for the benefit of the licensing

10  authority board and all purchasers of preneed cemetery

11  merchandise or services. The bond must be approved by the

12  licensing authority board.

13         (b)  The amount of the bond shall be based on a report

14  documenting the outstanding liabilities of the preneed

15  licensee certificateholder and shall be prepared by the

16  preneed licensee certificateholder using generally accepted

17  accounting principles and signed by the preneed licensee's

18  certificateholder's chief financial officer.

19         (c)  The report shall be compiled as of the end of the

20  preneed licensee's certificateholder's fiscal year and updated

21  annually. The amount of the bond shall be increased or

22  decreased as necessary to correlate with changes in the

23  outstanding liabilities.

24         (d)  If a preneed licensee certificateholder fails to

25  maintain a bond pursuant to this section, the preneed licensee

26  certificateholder shall cease the sale of preneed merchandise

27  and services.

28         (2)  Upon prior approval by the licensing authority

29  board, the preneed licensee certificateholder may file a

30  letter of credit with the licensing authority board in lieu of

31  a surety bond. Such letter of credit must be in a form, and is


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 1  subject to terms and conditions, prescribed by the board. It

 2  may be revoked only with the express approval of the licensing

 3  authority board.

 4         (3)(a)  A buyer of preneed merchandise or services who

 5  does not receive such services or merchandise due to the

 6  economic failure, closing, or bankruptcy of the preneed

 7  licensee certificateholder must file a claim with the surety

 8  as a prerequisite to payment of the claim and, if the claim is

 9  not paid, may bring an action based on the bond and recover

10  against the surety. In the case of a letter of credit or cash

11  deposit that has been filed with the licensing authority

12  board, the buyer may file a claim with the licensing authority

13  board.

14         (b)  In order to qualify for recovery on any claim

15  under paragraph (a), the buyer must file the claim no later

16  than 1 year after the date on which the preneed licensee

17  certificateholder closed or bankruptcy was filed.

18         (c)  The licensing authority board may file a claim

19  with the surety on behalf of any buyer under paragraph (a).

20  The surety shall pay the amount of the claims to the licensing

21  authority board for distribution to claimants entitled to

22  restitution and shall be relieved of liability to that extent.

23         (d)  The liability of the surety under any bond may not

24  exceed the aggregate amount of the bond, regardless of the

25  number or amount of claims filed.

26         (e)  If the total value of the claims filed exceeds the

27  amount of the bond, the surety shall pay the amount of the

28  bond to the licensing authority board for distribution to

29  claimants entitled to restitution and shall be relieved of all

30  liability under the bond.

31  


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 1         (4)  The preneed licensee certificateholder shall

 2  maintain accurate records of the bond and premium payments on

 3  it, which records shall be open to inspection by the licensing

 4  authority board.

 5         (5)  For purposes of this section, a preneed contract

 6  is a contract calling for the delivery of merchandise and

 7  services in the future and entered into before the death of

 8  the prospective recipient.

 9         (5)(6)  This act does not relieve the preneed licensee

10  certificateholder or other entity from liability for

11  nonperformance of contractual terms unless the preneed

12  licensee certificateholder cannot deliver the merchandise or

13  services because of a national emergency, strike, or act of

14  God.

15         (6)(7)  The licensing authority board may require the

16  holder of any assets of the preneed licensee certificateholder

17  to furnish written verification of the financial report

18  required to be submitted by the preneed licensee

19  certificateholder or other entity.

20         (7)(8)  Any preneed contract which promises future

21  delivery of merchandise at no cost constitutes a paid-up

22  contract. Merchandise which has been delivered is not covered

23  by the required performance bond or letter of credit even

24  though the contract is not completely paid. The preneed

25  licensee certificateholder may not cancel a contract unless

26  the purchaser is in default according to the terms of the

27  contract and subject to the requirements of s. 497.459. A

28  contract sold, discounted, and transferred to a third party

29  constitutes a paid-up contract for the purposes of the

30  performance bond or letter of credit.

31  


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 1         (8)(9)  Each contract must state the type, size, and

 2  design of merchandise and the description of service to be

 3  delivered or performed.

 4         (9)(10)  A purchaser and a preneed licensee

 5  certificateholder who are parties to a preneed contract

 6  executed prior to July 2, 1988, may enter into an amended

 7  preneed contract which is made subject to this section. On and

 8  after January 1, 2006, this subsection may no longer be used

 9  to make any additional contracts subject to a bond under this

10  section, provided that contracts already amended and made

11  subject to a bond as of December 31, 2005, may remain under

12  such bond.

13         (10)(11)  The licensing authority board may adopt forms

14  and rules necessary to implement this section, including, but

15  not limited to, rules which ensure that the surety bond and

16  line of credit provide liability coverage for preneed

17  merchandise and services.

18         (11)(12)  Preneed licensees Certificateholders may

19  utilize the bonding alternatives to s. 497.458 497.417

20  provided in this section only for contracts written prior to

21  July 1, 2001, for funds not held in trust as of July 1, 2001,

22  or for contracts written prior to December 31, 2004, by any

23  preneed licensee certificateholder authorized to do business

24  in this state that has total bonded liability exceeding $100

25  million as of July 1, 2001, for funds not held in trust as of

26  July 1, 2001.

27         Section 112.  Section 497.427, Florida Statutes, is

28  renumbered as section 497.463, Florida Statutes, and amended

29  to read:

30         497.463 497.427  Existing merchandise trust funds;

31  proof of compliance with law.--The preneed licensee


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 1  certificateholder shall present to the licensing authority

 2  board prior to the implementation of the alternatives provided

 3  in s. 497.462 497.425 documentation which demonstrates that

 4  the existing merchandise trust fund complies with the law and

 5  that the elected alternative plan conforms to the requirements

 6  of this chapter.

 7         Section 113.  Section 497.429, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 497.464, Florida Statutes, and amended

 9  to read:

10         497.464 497.429  Alternative preneed contracts.--

11         (1)  Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the

12  purchaser and the preneed licensee certificateholder from

13  executing a preneed contract upon the terms stated in this

14  section. Such contracts shall be subject to all provisions of

15  this chapter except:

16         (a)  Section 497.454(2) 497.409(2).

17         (b)  Section 497.457 497.415.

18         (c)  Section 497.458(1), (3), and (6) 497.417(1), (3),

19  and (5).

20         (d)  Section 497.459(1), (2), and (4) 497.419(1), (2),

21  and (5).

22         (e)  Section 497.460 497.421.

23         (f)  Section 497.461 497.423.

24         (g)  Section 497.462 497.425.

25         (2)  The contract must require that a trust be

26  established by the preneed licensee certificateholder on

27  behalf of, and for the use, benefit, and protection of, the

28  purchaser and that the trustee must be a trust company

29  operating pursuant to chapter 660, a national or state bank

30  holding trust powers, or a federal or state savings and loan

31  association holding trust powers.


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 1         (3)  The contract must require that the purchaser make

 2  all payments required by the contract directly to the trustee

 3  or its qualified servicing agent and that the funds shall be

 4  deposited in this state, subject to the terms of a trust

 5  instrument approved by the licensing authority board. The

 6  licensing authority may adopt rules establishing procedures

 7  and forms for the submission of trust instruments for approval

 8  by the licensing authority, establishing criteria for the

 9  approval of such trust instruments, and specifying information

10  required to be provided by the applicant in connection with

11  submission of a trust instrument for approval. A copy of the

12  trust instrument shall be made available to the purchaser, at

13  any reasonable time, upon request.

14         (4)  The contract or trust instrument shall expressly

15  state that the preneed licensee certificateholder does not

16  have any dominion or control over the trust or its assets,

17  except to the extent that subsection (6) applies, until such

18  time as the preneed contract is entirely completed or

19  performed.

20         (5)  The trust instrument shall prohibit the trustee

21  from distributing any appreciation on the trust to any person

22  and shall require that the trustee accumulate the entire net

23  income of the trust, or its pro rata share thereof. The

24  accumulated net income shall be distributed to the preneed

25  licensee certificateholder upon cancellation or performance of

26  the contract.

27         (6)  The contract and trust instrument may provide that

28  the preneed licensee certificateholder may receive a current

29  distribution of not more than 10 percent of all funds paid or

30  collected by the trustee and may further provide for

31  liquidated damages during the first 3 years after the


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 1  execution of the contract of not more than 10 percent of all

 2  the funds paid on the preneed contract, except that no

 3  liquidated damages shall apply for cancellation within 30 days

 4  of the date of execution of the contract.

 5         (7)  Disbursement of funds discharging any preneed

 6  contract shall be made by the trustee to the person issuing or

 7  writing such contract upon receipt of a certified copy of the

 8  death certificate of the contract beneficiary and evidence

 9  satisfactory to the trustee that the preneed contract has been

10  fully performed. In the event of any contract default by the

11  contract purchaser, or in the event that the funeral

12  merchandise or service contracted for is not provided or is

13  not desired by the purchaser or the heirs or personal

14  representative of the contract beneficiary, the trustee shall

15  return, within 30 days after its receipt of a written request

16  therefor, funds paid on the contract to the contract purchaser

17  or to her or his assigns, heirs, or personal representative,

18  subject to the lawful liquidation damage provision in the

19  contract.

20         (8)  The contract shall provide, in conspicuous type,

21  that the purchaser may receive a federal income tax

22  informational statement, pursuant to the grantor trust rules

23  of ss. 671 et seq. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as

24  amended, from the trustee reflecting all of the income earned

25  by the trust; and, accordingly, the purchaser should seek the

26  advice of an independent tax professional for the tax impact

27  upon the purchaser as a result of executing the preneed

28  contract.

29         (9)  The contract may provide that the preneed licensee

30  certificateholder may cancel the contract, but only in the

31  event that the purchaser is more than 90 days in default of


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 1  the terms of the contract; and, unless subject to the

 2  provisions of s. 497.459(5) 497.419(6), must provide that the

 3  purchaser, or her or his representative, has the right, at any

 4  time prior to the performance of the contract, to cancel the

 5  preneed contract and revest title to all the funds paid on the

 6  preneed contract, except for applicable liquidated damages,

 7  and the preneed licensee's certificateholder's rights in the

 8  net income of the trust.

 9         (10)  The contract or trust agreement may require the

10  trustee to invest in solely tax-free investments.

11         (11)  In the event the parties execute a contract

12  pursuant to this section, the purchaser shall be deemed, and

13  treated for all purposes, as the settlor of the trust

14  established thereunder.

15         Section 114.  Section 497.436, Florida Statutes, is

16  renumbered as section 497.465, Florida Statutes, and amended

17  to read:

18         497.465 497.436  Inactive, surrendered, and revoked

19  preneed licensees certificateholders.--

20         (1)  A preneed licensee certificateholder shall be

21  considered inactive upon the acceptance of the surrender of

22  its license by the licensing authority board or upon the

23  nonreceipt by the licensing authority board of the preneed

24  license certificate of authority renewal application and fees

25  required by s. 497.265 497.213(2).

26         (2)  A preneed licensee certificateholder shall cease

27  all preneed sales to the public upon becoming inactive. The

28  preneed licensee certificateholder shall collect and deposit

29  into trust all of the funds paid toward preneed contracts sold

30  prior to becoming inactive.

31  


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 1         (3)  Any preneed licensee certificateholder desiring to

 2  surrender its license to the licensing authority board shall

 3  first:

 4         (a)  File notice with the licensing authority board.

 5         (b)  Submit copies of its existing trust agreements.

 6         (c)  Submit a sample copy of each type of preneed

 7  contract sold.

 8         (d)  Resolve to the licensing authority's board's

 9  satisfaction all unresolved findings and violations resulting

10  from prior examinations the last examination conducted.

11         (e)  Pay all outstanding fines and invoices due the

12  licensing authority board.

13         (f)  Submit its current preneed license certificate of

14  authority.

15         (4)  Upon receipt of the notice, the licensing

16  authority board shall review the preneed licensee's

17  certificateholder's:

18         (a)  Trust funds.

19         (b)  Trust agreements.

20         (c)  Evidence of all outstanding preneed contracts.

21         (5)  After a review to the licensing authority's

22  board's satisfaction, the licensing authority board shall

23  terminate the preneed license certificate of authority by an

24  order which shall set forth the conditions of termination

25  established by the licensing authority board to ensure that

26  the preneed funds will be available for their intended

27  purpose.

28         (6)  The trust fund of the preneed licensee

29  certificateholder shall be held intact and in trust after the

30  preneed licensee certificateholder has become inactive, and

31  the funds in that trust shall be disbursed in accordance with


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 1  the requirements of the written contracts and this chapter

 2  until the funds have been exhausted.

 3         (7)  The licensing authority board shall continue to

 4  have jurisdiction over the inactive preneed licensee and the

 5  trust funds certificateholder as if the preneed license

 6  certificate were active and to require such reports and

 7  inspect such records as the licensing authority board deems

 8  appropriate so long as there are funds in trust or preneed

 9  contracts that are not fulfilled.

10         (8)  In addition to any other terms of revocation or

11  suspension ordered pursuant to this chapter, s. 497.233, the

12  provisions of this section shall also apply in the event of

13  revocation or suspension of a preneed license, unless the

14  provisions of the suspension or revocation order specifically

15  provide otherwise.

16         (9)  The licensing authority may adopt rules for the

17  implementation of this section, for the purpose of ensuring a

18  thorough review and investigation of the status and condition

19  of the preneed licensee's business affairs for the protection

20  of the licensee's preneed customers. Such rules may include:

21         (a)  The form of notice required by paragraph (3)(a),

22  and the information or materials to be contained in or

23  accompany the notice or otherwise to be provided, which may

24  include any information or materials the licensing authority

25  deems needed for the discharge of its responsibilities under

26  this section.

27         (b)  Requirements for the submission of sworn

28  affidavits by or the taking of sworn testimony from the

29  licensee and its principals and employees and sales agents.

30  

31  


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 1         (c)  Requirements for submission of unaudited or

 2  audited financial statements, as the licensing authority deems

 3  advisable.

 4         Section 115.  Section 497.439, Florida Statutes, is

 5  renumbered as section 497.466, Florida Statutes, and amended

 6  to read:

 7         497.466 497.439  Preneed sales agents, license

 8  required; application procedures and criteria; responsiblility

 9  of preneed licensee.--

10         (1)  GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PRENEED SALES

11  AGENTS.--

12         (a)  All individuals who offer preneed contracts to the

13  public, or who execute preneed contracts on behalf of a

14  preneed licensee certificateholder, including all individuals

15  who offer, sell, or sign contracts for the preneed sale of

16  burial rights, shall be licensed registered with the board as

17  preneed sales agents, pursuant to this section, unless such

18  individuals are licensed as funeral directors pursuant to this

19  chapter.

20         (b)(2)  All preneed sales agents and funeral directors

21  acting as preneed sales agents must be employed by or under

22  written contract with affiliated with the preneed licensee

23  certificateholder that they are representing.

24         (c)(3)  A preneed licensee certificateholder shall be

25  responsible for the activities of all preneed sales agents and

26  all funeral directors acting as preneed sales agents, who are

27  affiliated with the preneed licensee certificateholder and who

28  perform any type of preneed-related activity on behalf of the

29  preneed licensee certificateholder. In addition to the preneed

30  sales agents and funeral directors acting as preneed sales

31  agents, each preneed licensee certificateholder shall also be


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 1  subject to discipline if its preneed sales agents or funeral

 2  directors acting as preneed sales agents violate any provision

 3  of this chapter.

 4         (d)(4)  A preneed sales agent and a funeral director

 5  acting as a preneed sales agent shall be authorized to sell,

 6  offer, and execute preneed contracts on behalf of all entities

 7  owned or operated by its sponsoring preneed licensee

 8  certificateholder.

 9         (e)  An individual may be licensed as a preneed sales

10  agent on behalf of more than one preneed licensee, provided

11  that the individual has received the written consent of all

12  such preneed licensees and makes separate application under

13  this section for each such agency.

14         (f)  A sponsoring preneed licensee shall notify the

15  department in writing within 30 days after the sponsored

16  preneed sales agent's authority to represent that preneed

17  licensee has terminated.

18         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

19         (a)  A person seeking licensure as a preneed sales

20  agent shall apply for such licensure using forms prescribed by

21  rule of the licensing authority.

22         (b)  The application shall require the name, residence

23  address, residence phone number if any, and date and place of

24  birth, of the preneed sales agent applicant. Applicants shall

25  be at least 18 years of age. The application shall require

26  identification of the name, address, and license number of the

27  sponsoring preneed licensee. The application shall require the

28  preneed sales agent applicant's social security number and the

29  federal tax identification number of the sponsoring preneed

30  licensee.

31  


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 1         (c)  The application shall require information as to

 2  the educational and employment history of the preneed sales

 3  agent applicant.

 4         (d)  The application shall require the preneed sales

 5  agent applicant to disclose whether the preneed sales agent

 6  applicant has ever been convicted or found guilty of, or

 7  entered a plea of no contest to, regardless of adjudication,

 8  any crime in any jurisdiction.

 9         (e)  The application shall require the preneed sales

10  agent applicant to disclose whether the preneed sales agent

11  applicant has ever had a license or the authority to practice

12  a profession or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied,

13  or otherwise acted against or disciplined, by the licensing

14  authority of any jurisdiction. A licensing authority's

15  acceptance of a relinquishment of licensure, stipulation,

16  consent order, or other settlement, offered in response to or

17  in anticipation of the filing of charges against the license,

18  shall be construed as action against the license.

19         (f)  The application shall require a representation by

20  the sponsoring preneed licensee, that:

21         1.  The sponsoring preneed licensee's license is in

22  good standing.

23         2.  Upon licensure as a preneed sales agent the

24  sponsored preneed sales agent applicant will be authorized to

25  offer, sell, and sign preneed contracts on behalf of the

26  preneed licensee.

27         3.  The preneed licensee has trained the applicant in

28  the provisions of this chapter relating to preneed sales, the

29  provisions of the preneed licensee's preneed contracts, and

30  the nature of the merchandise, services, or burial rights sold

31  by the preneed licensee.


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 1         (g)  The application shall require the preneed sales

 2  agent applicant to indicate whether the applicant has any type

 3  of working relationship with any other preneed licensee or

 4  insurance company, and if yes, to identify such other preneed

 5  licensee or insurance company, as the case may be.

 6         (h)  The applicant shall be required to submit her or

 7  his fingerprints in accordance with part I of this chapter.

 8         (i)  The application shall be signed by the applicant

 9  and by an officer or manager of the sponsoring preneed

10  licensee.

11         (j)  The application shall be accompanied by a

12  nonrefundable fee of $100. The licensing authority may from

13  time to time increase such fee but not to exceed $200.

14         (3)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS; TEMPORARY AND

15  REGULAR LICENSURE.--

16         (a)  An applicant shall be deemed to have been issued a

17  temporary preneed sales agent license and may begin

18  functioning as a preneed sales agent, immediately upon receipt

19  by the department of a duly completed application for

20  licensure under this section, if the application shows an

21  applicant of at least 18 years of age who has answered in the

22  negative regarding paragraphs (2)(d) and (e) relating to prior

23  criminal and disciplinary actions, and which application is

24  accompanied by the required application fee. The temporary

25  preneed sales agent license shall be valid for 90 days unless

26  earlier suspended by the licensing authority for cause. If the

27  application is approved by the board within the 90-day period,

28  the temporary license shall be deemed converted to a regular

29  biennial license which shall expire in accordance with the

30  schedule established by the licensing authority by rule.

31  


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 1         (b)1.  A person who cannot truthfully answer in the

 2  negative regarding paragraphs (2)(d) and (e) relating to prior

 3  criminal and disciplinary actions, may apply to the licensing

 4  authority for issuance of a preneed sales agent license

 5  notwithstanding such criminal or disciplinary record. The

 6  licensing authority may by rule specify forms and procedures

 7  for use by such persons in applying for preneed sales agent

 8  licensure, to be used by such persons in lieu of the forms and

 9  procedures specified under paragraph (a). Licensure shall be

10  granted unless the licensing authority reasonably determines

11  that the prior criminal or disciplinary record indicates that

12  the granting of licensure would pose unreasonable risk to the

13  public.

14         2.  To facilitate issuance of licenses concerning

15  applicants with criminal or disciplinary records which the

16  licensing authority judges to make the applicant borderline as

17  to qualification for licensure, the licensing authority may

18  issue a new license under this section on a probationary

19  basis, subject to conditions specified by the licensing

20  authority on a case-by-case basis, which conditions may impose

21  special monitoring, reporting, and restrictions on operations

22  for up to the first 24 months of licensure, to ensure the

23  preneed sales agent licensee's integrity, trustworthiness, and

24  compliance with this chapter. Provided, no such probationary

25  license shall be issued unless the licensing authority

26  determines that issuance would not pose an unreasonable risk

27  to the public, and the licensing authority must within 24

28  months after issuance of the license either remove the

29  probationary status or determine that the licensee is not

30  qualified for licensure under this chapter and institute

31  proceedings for revocation of licensure. The licensing


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 1  authority may adopt rules prescribing criteria and procedures

 2  for issuance of such probationary licenses.

 3         (4)  RENEWAL OF LICENSES.--Nontemporary preneed sales

 4  agent licenses under this section shall be renewed biennially

 5  in accordance with a schedule, forms, and procedures

 6  established by rule. The nonrefundable biennial renewal fee

 7  shall be as determined by licensing authority rule but not to

 8  exceed $200.

 9         (5)  SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR SUBSEQUENT CHANGE OF

10  SPONSORING LICENSEE.--The board may by rule establish

11  simplified requirements and procedures under which any preneed

12  sales agent who, within the 12 months preceding application

13  under this subsection held in good standing a preneed sales

14  agent license under this section, may obtain a preneed sales

15  agent's license under this section to represent a different

16  sponsoring preneed licensee. The simplified requirements shall

17  dispense with the requirement for submission of fingerprints.

18  The licensing authority may by rule prescribe forms to be used

19  by applicants under this subsection, which forms may dispense

20  with the requirement for any information not deemed by the

21  licensing authority to be necessary to tracking the identify

22  of the preneed licensee responsible for the activities of the

23  preneed sales agent. No preneed sales agent licensee whose

24  sales agent license issued by the board was revoked or

25  suspended or otherwise terminated while in other than good

26  standing, shall be eligible to use the simplified requirements

27  and procedures. The issuance of a preneed sales agent license

28  under this subsection shall not operate as a bar to any

29  subsequent disciplinary action relating to grounds arising

30  prior to obtaining the license under this subsection. There

31  shall be a fee payable to the department under such simplified


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 1  procedures, which fee shall be the same as the fee paid upon

 2  initial application for preneed sales agent license, except

 3  that no fingerprint fee shall be required if such fingerprint

 4  fee is required for initial applications.

 5         (5)  An individual may begin functioning as a preneed

 6  sales agent as soon as a completed application for

 7  registration, as set forth in subsection (7), is sent to the

 8  department.

 9         (6)  The qualifications for a preneed sales agent are

10  as follows:

11         (a)  The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.

12         (b)  The applicant must be in good standing with the

13  board.

14         (c)  The applicant must not have any felony or

15  misdemeanor convictions that relate to any activity regulated

16  by this chapter.

17         (7)  An application for registration as a preneed sales

18  agent shall be submitted to the department with an application

19  fee of $100 by the certificateholder in a form that has been

20  prescribed by department rule and approved by the board. Such

21  application shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

22         (a)  The name, address, social security number, and

23  date of birth of the applicant and such other information as

24  the board may reasonably require of the applicant.

25         (b)  The name, address, and license number of the

26  sponsoring certificateholder.

27         (c)  A representation, signed by the applicant, that

28  the applicant meets the requirements set forth in subsection

29  (6).

30         (d)  A representation, signed by the certificateholder,

31  that the applicant is authorized to offer, sell, and sign


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 1  preneed contracts on behalf of the certificateholder, and that

 2  the certificateholder has trained the applicant in the

 3  provisions of this chapter relating to preneed sales as

 4  determined by the board, the provisions of the

 5  certificateholder's preneed contract, and the nature of the

 6  merchandise, services, or burial rights sold by the

 7  certificateholder.

 8         (e)  A statement indicating whether the applicant has

 9  any type of working relationship with any other

10  certificateholder or insurance company.

11         (8)  An individual may be registered as a preneed sales

12  agent on behalf of more than one certificateholder, provided

13  that the individual has received the written consent of all

14  such certificateholders.

15         (9)  A certificateholder who has registered a preneed

16  sales agent shall notify the department within 30 days after

17  such individual's status as a preneed sales agent has been

18  terminated.

19         (10)  Upon receipt of an application that complies with

20  all of the requirements of subsection (7), the department

21  shall register the applicant. The department shall by rule

22  provide for biennial renewal of registration and a renewal fee

23  of $150.

24         Section 116.  Section 497.441, Florida Statutes, is

25  renumbered as section 497.467, Florida Statutes, and amended

26  to read:

27         497.467 497.441  Acceptability of funeral and burial

28  merchandise.--Each person who engages in preneed sales of

29  funeral or burial merchandise shall determine, and notify the

30  purchaser in writing prior to the completion of the contract,

31  that the merchandise being considered for purchase will be


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 1  accepted in the cemetery of the purchaser's choice. The

 2  failure to comply with this chapter shall nullify the

 3  agreement, and all moneys paid in shall be returned,

 4  notwithstanding the existence of any liquidated damages

 5  provision otherwise applicable by contract or statute pursuant

 6  to s. 497.419(2).

 7         Section 117.  Part V of chapter 497, Florida Statutes,

 8  consisting of sections 497.550, 497.551, 497.552, 497.553,

 9  497.554, 497.555, and 497.556, is created to read:

10                              PART V

11                     MONUMENT ESTABLISHMENTS

12         Section 118.  Section 497.361, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 497.550, Florida Statutes, and

14  amended to read:

15         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

16         s. 497.361, F.S., for present text.)

17         497.550  Licensure of monument establishments required;

18  procedures and criteria.--

19         (1)  LICENSE REQUIRED.--No person shall conduct,

20  maintain, manage, or operate a monument establishment in this

21  state unless the monument establishment is licensed pursuant

22  to this part.

23         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--A person seeking

24  licensure as a monument establishment shall apply for such

25  licensure using forms prescribed by rule.

26         (a)  The application shall require the applicant's name

27  and address, and the name and address of all principals of the

28  applicant. The application shall require the applicant's

29  social security number, or if the applicant is an entity, its

30  federal tax identification number.

31  


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 1         (b)  The application may require information as to the

 2  applicant's financial resources, and may require information

 3  as to the experience of the applicant and its principals in

 4  the monument establishment business or death care industry.

 5         (c)  The application shall require the applicant to

 6  disclose whether the applicant or any of its principals has

 7  ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of

 8  no contest to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any

 9  jurisdiction.

10         (d)  The application shall require the applicant to

11  disclose whether the applicant or any of its principals has

12  ever had a license or the authority to practice a profession

13  or occupation revoked, suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise

14  acted against or disciplined, by the licensing authority of

15  any jurisdiction.

16         (e)  The application shall require the applicant's

17  principals to provide fingerprints in accordance with part I

18  of this chapter.

19         (f)  The applicant shall be a natural person at least

20  18 years of age, a corporation, a partnership, or a limited

21  liability company formed prior to January 1, 2005 which

22  limited liability company already holds a license under this

23  chapter.

24         (g)  The applications shall require the applicant to

25  demonstrate that the applicant has, or will have before

26  commencing operations, the facilities required under this

27  part.

28         (h)  The application shall be signed by the applicant

29  if a natural person, or by the president of an applicant that

30  is a corporation.

31  


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 1         (i)  The application shall be accompanied by an

 2  application fee as determined by licensing authority rule but

 3  not to exceed $500.

 4         (3)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS.--A duly completed

 5  application for licensure as a monument establishment,

 6  accompanied by the required application fee, shall be approved

 7  unless there is shown by clear and convincing evidence that

 8  the applicant will not, before commencing operations, have the

 9  facilities required by this part or that issuance of the

10  license would pose an unreasonable risk to the public because

11  one or more of the following factors:

12         (a)  The applicant's lack of experience.

13         (b)  The applicant's lack of financial resources.

14         (c)  The criminal or disciplinary record of applicant

15  or its principals.

16         (d)  A demonstrated history of violations of the laws

17  of this state by applicant or its principals regarding the

18  funeral or cemetery business or other business activities.

19         (e)  A demonstrated history of lack of trustworthiness

20  or integrity on the part of the applicant or its principals.

21         (4)  PROBATIONARY STATUS.--It is the policy of this

22  state to encourage competition for the public benefit in the

23  monument establishment business by, among other means, the

24  entry of new licensees into the monument establishment

25  business. To facilitate issuance of licenses concerning

26  applications judged by the licensing authority to be

27  borderline as to qualification for licensure, the licensing

28  authority may issue new monument establishment licenses on a

29  probationary basis, subject to conditions specified by the

30  licensing authority on a case-by-case basis, which conditions

31  may impose special monitoring, reporting, and restrictions on


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 1  operations for up to the first 24 months of licensure, to

 2  ensure the licensee's responsibleness, competency, and

 3  financial stability. However, no such probationary license

 4  shall be issued unless the licensing authority determines that

 5  issuance would not pose an unreasonable risk to the public,

 6  and the licensing authority must within 24 months after

 7  issuance of the license either remove the probationary status

 8  or determine that the licensee is not qualified for licensure

 9  and institute proceedings for revocation of licensure.

10         (5)  LICENSE NOT TRANSFERABLE OR ASSIGNABLE.--A

11  monument establishment license shall not be transferable or

12  assignable.

13         Section 119.  Section 497.551, Florida Statutes, is

14  created to read:

15         497.551  Renewal of monument establishment licensure.--

16         (1)  A monument establishment license must be renewed

17  biennially by the licensee.

18         (2)  A monument establishment licensee that does not

19  hold a preneed sales license as of 90 days prior to the date

20  its monument establishment license renewal is due, shall renew

21  its monument establishment license by payment of a renewal fee

22  established by rule not to exceed $250.

23         (3)  A monument establishment licensee which as of 90

24  days prior to its monument establishment license renewal date

25  also holds a preneed sales license issued under this chapter,

26  shall renew its monument establishment license by payment of a

27  renewal fee determined by its total gross aggregate at-need

28  and preneed retail sales for the 12-month period ending 2 full

29  calendar months prior to the month in which the renewal is

30  required, as follow:

31         (a)  Total sales of $1 to $50,000, renewal fee $1,000.


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 1         (b)  Total sales $50,001 to $250,000, renewal fee

 2  $1,500.

 3         (c)  Total sales of $250,001 to $500,000, renewal fee

 4  $2,000.

 5         (d)  Total sales over $500,000, renewal fee $2,500.

 6         (4)  Rules may be adopted providing procedures, forms,

 7  and uniform timeframes for monument establishment license

 8  renewals.

 9         Section 120.  Section 497.552, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         497.552  Required facilities.--Effective January 1,

12  2006, a monument establishment shall at all times have and

13  maintain a full-service place of business at a specific street

14  address or location in Florida complying with the following

15  requirements:

16         (1)  It shall include an office for the conduct of its

17  business including the reception of customers.

18         (2)  It shall include a display area in which is

19  displayed a selection of monuments, markers, and related

20  products for inspection by customers prior to sale.

21         (3)  Its office and display area shall normally be open

22  to the public weekdays during normal business hours.

23         (4)  It shall have facilities for inscribing monuments,

24  and equipment to deliver and install markers and monuments.

25         (5)  It shall comply with any local government zoning

26  regulations and may not be located on tax-exempt property.

27         Section 121.  Section 497.553, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         497.553  Regulation of monument establishments.--

30         (1)  The Department of Financial Services shall

31  establish and implement an inspection program for all monument


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 1  establishments in accordance with the requirements of this

 2  act.

 3         (2)  Commencing January 1, 2006, all retail sales by

 4  monument establishments shall be on a sales agreement form

 5  filed by the monument establishment with and approved by the

 6  licensing authority. Sales agreement forms must provide a

 7  complete description of any monument, marker, or related

 8  product to be delivered, and shall prominently and clearly

 9  specify the agreed date for delivery and installation.

10  Procedures for submission and approval of such forms shall be

11  established by rule.

12         (3)  Commencing January 1, 2006, all monument

13  establishments shall have written procedures for the receipt,

14  investigation, and disposition of customer complaints, and

15  shall ensure that their staff who receive or process such

16  complaints are familiar with and follow such procedures.

17         (4)  Commencing January 1, 2006, all monument

18  establishments shall maintain for inspection by the department

19  records of written complaints received by the monument

20  establishment. Such complaint records shall include a

21  chronological log of written complaints received, in which the

22  name and address of each complainant and date of complaint is

23  entered consecutively within 10 business days of receipt of

24  each complaint. The licensing authority may by rule establish

25  requirements regarding the format of complaint logs, including

26  whether they may be maintained electronically, or shall be

27  maintained by pen and ink on paper; the licensing authority

28  may by order direct a licensee to maintain complaint logs by

29  pen and ink in writing. The original or complete copy of each

30  written complaint received by a monument establishment, and

31  all subsequent correspondence related to such complaint, shall


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 1  be maintained by the monument establishment, for inspection by

 2  the department, for the longer of 24 months or 12 months after

 3  the most recent department inspection during which the

 4  complaint was in the monument establishment's complaint

 5  records and available for the department's review.

 6         (5)  Commencing January 1, 2006, the failure of a

 7  monument establishment to deliver and install a purchased

 8  monument or marker by the date agreed in the sales agreement

 9  shall entitle the customer to a full refund of all amounts

10  paid by the customer for the monument and its delivery and

11  installation, unless the monument establishment has obtained a

12  written agreement from the customer extending the delivery

13  date. Such refund shall be made within 30 days after receipt

14  by the monument establishment of the customer's written

15  request for a refund. This subsection does not preclude the

16  purchase and installation of a new monument from any other

17  registered monument establishment or preneed sales licensee.

18         Section 122.  Section 497.554, Florida Statutes, is

19  created to read:

20         497.554  Monument establishment sales

21  representatives.--

22         (1)  LICENSE REQUIRED.--Each person selling monuments,

23  markers, or related products for a monument establishment must

24  be licensed as a monument establishment sales agent. This

25  requirement shall apply notwithstanding that such person is

26  already registered or licensed in another capacity pursuant to

27  this chapter.

28         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--Licensure as an monument

29  establishment sale agent shall be by submission of an

30  application for licensure to the department on a form

31  prescribed by rule.


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 1         (a)  The application shall require the applicant to

 2  state her or his name, residence and business address,

 3  business phone number, social security number, and the name

 4  and address of the monument establishment for which the

 5  applicant will be selling.

 6         (b)  The application shall require the applicant to

 7  disclose whether the applicant has ever been convicted or

 8  found guilty of, or entered a plea of no contest to,

 9  regardless of adjudication, any crime in any jurisdiction.

10         (c)  The application shall require the applicant to

11  disclose whether the applicant has ever had a license or the

12  authority to practice a profession or occupation revoked,

13  suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise acted against or

14  disciplined, by the licensing authority of any jurisdiction.

15         (d)  The application shall be signed by the applicant

16  and the owner or an officer of the sponsoring monument

17  establishment.

18         (e)  The monument establishment sales agent application

19  shall be accompanied by a fee of $50. The licensing authority

20  may from time to time increase the application fee by rule but

21  not to exceed $200.

22         (3)  APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF APPLICATION.--

23         (a)  If a properly completed application accompanied by

24  the required application fee indicates the applicant has no

25  criminal or disciplinary record, the requested licensure shall

26  be deemed granted upon receipt of the duly completed

27  application by the department.

28         (b)  If the application indicates the applicant has any

29  criminal or disciplinary history, licensure shall be granted

30  unless the licensing authority determines that the licensure

31  of the applicant would pose a substantial threat to the


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 1  welfare of the public with which the applicant might be

 2  dealing as a monument establishment sales agent. Rules may be

 3  adopted providing criteria for evaluating criminal and

 4  disciplinary records as they may affect applications for

 5  licensure under this section.

 6         (4)  TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.--

 7         (a)  Once issued, a monument establishment sales agent

 8  license of an agent not licensed to make preneed sales shall

 9  remain in effect without renewal until surrendered, or the

10  sponsoring monument establishment terminates the agent's

11  authority to sell on behalf of that monument establishment, or

12  the license is revoked or suspended by the licensing authority

13  for cause.

14         (b)  The monument establishment whose officer signed

15  the sales agent application shall terminate that agent's

16  authority to sell on behalf of that monument establishment,

17  and the monument establishment in writing shall advise the

18  licensing authority of such termination within 30 days after

19  the termination.

20         (5)  RESPONSIBILITY FOR AGENTS.--The sponsoring

21  monument establishment shall be responsible for the activities

22  of its sales agents concerning their sales activities and

23  shall reasonably supervise such activities.

24         (6)  AGENT LICENSE REQUIRED.--A person selling

25  monuments, markers, and related products on a preneed basis

26  for a monument establishment that has been issued a preneed

27  sales license must also obtain authorization as a preneed

28  sales agent under part IV of this chapter.

29         Section 123.  Section 497.555, Florida Statutes, is

30  created to read:

31  


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 1         497.555  Required rules.--Rules shall be adopted

 2  establishing minimum standards for access to all cemeteries by

 3  licensed monument establishments, for the purpose of

 4  delivering and installing markers and monuments. In all cases,

 5  cemeteries must comply with these minimum standards.

 6         Section 124.  Section 497.556, Florida Statutes, is

 7  created to read:

 8         497.556  Requirements relating to monument

 9  establishments.--

10         (1)  INITIAL LICENSURE.--No monument establishment

11  shall be issued a license to engage in preneed sales under

12  this chapter unless the monument establishment shall, in

13  addition to the other requirements of this part for issuance

14  of a preneed license, meet the following requirements:

15         (a)  The monument establishment or its principals shall

16  demonstrate at least 3 years of experience in the operation of

17  a monument establishment.

18         (b)  The monument establishment shall demonstrate that

19  it has a net worth of at least $10,000 pursuant to generally

20  accepted accounting principles. If the monument establishment

21  applying for preneed licensure cannot demonstrate a net worth

22  of at least $10,000, the licensing authority may in accordance

23  with subsection (3) accept alternative factors or arrangements

24  as substituting for the $10,000 net worth requirement, and

25  issue the license on that basis. A monument establishment

26  which is issued a preneed sales license based upon subsection

27  (3) shall be subject to subsection (2) regarding subsequent

28  renewals of its preneed sales license.

29         (2)  RENEWAL LICENSURE.--Each monument establishment

30  seeking to renew its preneed sales license shall demonstrate,

31  in addition to the other requirements of part IV of this


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 1  chapter relating to renewal of preneed licenses, a net worth

 2  of $10,000 as of the year end for its fiscal year most

 3  recently concluded prior to the renewal date. Such net worth

 4  shall be demonstrated in financial statements prepared in

 5  accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and

 6  filed with the licensing authority. If the monument

 7  establishment seeking renewal of its preneed licensure cannot

 8  demonstrate the required net worth the licensing authority may

 9  in accordance with subsection (3) accept alternative factors

10  or arrangements as substituting for the $10,000 net worth

11  requirement and renew the license for that renewal cycle on

12  that basis.

13         (3)  ALTERNATIVES TO $10,000 NET WORTH REQUIREMENT.--

14         (a)  A monument establishment that cannot demonstrate

15  the required $10,000 net worth may voluntarily submit to the

16  licensing authority and request acceptance of alternative

17  evidence of financial stability and resources or agree to

18  additional oversight in lieu of the required net worth. Such

19  additional evidence or oversight may include, as appropriate,

20  one or more of the following:

21         1.  An agreement to submit monthly financial statements

22  of the entity.

23         2.  An agreement to submit quarterly financial

24  statements of the entity.

25         3.  An appraisal of the entity's property or broker's

26  opinion of the entity's assets.

27         4.  A credit report of the entity or its principals.

28         5.  A subordination-of-debt agreement from the entity's

29  principals.

30         6.  An indemnification or subrogation agreement binding

31  the entity and its principals.


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 1         7.  A guarantee agreement for the entity from its

 2  principals.

 3         8.  A written explanation of past financial activity.

 4         9.  Submission of a 12-month projected business plan

 5  that includes:

 6         a.  A statement of cash flows.

 7         b.  Pro forma income statements, with sources of

 8  revenues identified.

 9         c.  Marketing initiatives.

10         10.  Submission of previous department examination

11  reports.

12         11.  An agreement of 100 percent voluntary trust by the

13  entity.

14         (b)  The licensing authority may accept such

15  alternative evidence or arrangements in lieu of the required

16  net worth only if the licensing authority determines such

17  alternative evidence or arrangements are an adequate

18  substitute for $10,000 of net worth and that acceptance would

19  not substantially increase the risk to existing or future

20  customers of nonperformance by the monument establishment on

21  its retail sales agreements.

22         (4)  BRANCH OPERATIONS.--A licensed monument

23  establishment under common control with another monument

24  establishment, funeral establishment, or licensed cemetery,

25  which other monument establishment, funeral establishment, or

26  licensed cemetery holds a preneed sales license in good

27  standing, may engage in preneed sales under and as a branch of

28  that other entity's preneed sales license, if there is

29  compliance with the usual requirements of this part for branch

30  operation, and the entity holding the preneed sales license

31  executes and files with the licensing authority a written


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 1  agreement in a form acceptable to the licensing authority,

 2  guaranteeing performance of the preneed sales of the branch.

 3         Section 125.  Part VI of chapter 497, Florida Statutes,

 4  consisting of sections 497.601, 497.602, 497.603, 497.604,

 5  497.605, 497.606, 497.607, and 497.608, is created to read:

 6                             PART VI

 7          CREMATION, CREMATORIES, AND DIRECT DISPOSITION

 8         Section 126.  Section 470.0165, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 497.601, Florida Statutes, and amended

10  to read:

11         497.601 470.0165  Direct disposition; duties.--

12         (1)  Those individuals licensed registered as direct

13  disposers may perform only those functions set forth below:

14         (a)  Remove human remains from the place of death and

15  store human remains in registered direct disposal

16  establishments.

17         (b)  Secure pertinent information from the decedent's

18  next of kin in order to complete the death certificate and to

19  file for the necessary permits for direct disposition.

20         (c)  Obtain the necessary permits for direct

21  disposition and arrange for obituaries and death notices to be

22  placed in newspapers; provided, however, that the name of the

23  direct disposal establishment may not appear in any death

24  notice or obituary if any funeral service, memorial service,

25  or graveside service is to take place and such service is

26  mentioned in the death notice or obituary.

27         (d)  Refrigerate human remains prior to direct

28  disposition and transport human remains to a direct disposal

29  establishment for direct disposition.

30  

31  


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 1         (e)  Contract with a removal service or refrigeration

 2  facility to provide such services or facilities to a direct

 3  disposal establishment.

 4         (2)  Direct disposers or funeral directors functioning

 5  as direct disposers may not, in their capacity as direct

 6  disposers, sell, conduct, or arrange for burials, funeral

 7  services, memorial services, visitations, or viewings; hold

 8  themselves out to the public as funeral directors; or use any

 9  name, title, or advertisement that may tend to connote that

10  they are funeral directors. These prohibitions shall apply

11  regardless of the fact that such individuals may be licensed

12  as funeral directors.

13         (3)  Provided that direct disposers limit their

14  activities to those functions set forth in subsection (1),

15  those activities shall not be deemed to constitute funeral

16  directing or embalming or the functions performed by a funeral

17  director or embalmer as otherwise set forth in this chapter.

18         Section 127.  Section 470.017, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 497.602, Florida Statutes, and amended

20  to read:

21         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

22         s. 470.017, F.S., for present text.)

23         497.602  Direct disposers, license required; licensing

24  procedures and criteria; regulation.--

25         (1)  LICENSE REQUIRED.--Any person who is not a

26  licensed funeral director and who engages in the practice of

27  direct disposition must be licensed pursuant to this section

28  as a direct disposer.

29         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

30         (a)  A person seeking licensure as a direct disposer

31  shall apply for such licensure using forms prescribed by rule.


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 1         (b)  The application shall require the name, residence

 2  address, date and place of birth, and social security number,

 3  of the applicant.

 4         (c)  The application may require information as to the

 5  educational and employment history of the applicant.

 6         (d)  The application shall require the applicant to

 7  disclose whether the applicant has ever been convicted or

 8  found guilty of, or entered a plea of no contest to,

 9  regardless of adjudication, any crime in any jurisdiction.

10         (e)  The application shall require the applicant to

11  disclose whether the applicant has ever had a license or the

12  authority to practice a profession or occupation refused,

13  suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise acted against or

14  disciplined, by the licensing authority of any jurisdiction. A

15  licensing authority's acceptance of a relinquishment of

16  licensure, stipulation, consent order, or other settlement,

17  offered in response to or in anticipation of the filing of

18  charges against the license, shall be construed as action

19  against the license.

20         (f)  The application shall require the applicant to

21  provide fingerprints in accordance with part I of this

22  chapter.

23         (g)  The application shall require the applicant to

24  demonstrate that the applicant does, or will before commencing

25  operations under the license, comply with all requirements of

26  this chapter relating to the licensure applied for.

27         (h)  The application shall be signed by the applicant.

28         (i)  The application shall be accompanied by a

29  nonrefundable fee of $300. The licensing authority may from

30  time to time increase the fee by rule but not to exceed more

31  than $500.


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 1         (3)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS.--A duly completed

 2  application for licensure under this section, accompanied by

 3  the required fees, shall be approved if the licensing

 4  authority determines that the following conditions are met:

 5         (a)  The applicant is a natural person at least 18

 6  years of age and a high school graduate or equivalent.

 7         (b)  Applicant has taken and received a passing grade

 8  in a college credit course in Florida mortuary law.

 9         (c)  Applicant has completed a course on communicable

10  diseases approved by the licensing authority.

11         (d)  Applicant has passed an examination prepared by

12  the department on the local, state, and federal laws and rules

13  relating to the disposition of dead human bodies.

14         (e)  The applicant does or will prior to commencing

15  operations under the license comply with all requirements of

16  this chapter relating to the license applied for.

17         (f)  Applicant is of good character and has no

18  demonstrated history of lack of trustworthiness or integrity

19  in business or professional matters.

20         (4)  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.--Upon approval of the

21  application by the licensing authority, the license shall be

22  issued.

23         (5)  DISPLAY OF LICENSE.--There shall be adopted rules

24  which require each license issued under this section to be

25  displayed in such a manner as to make it visible to the public

26  and to facilitate inspection by the department. Each licensee

27  shall permanently affix a recent photograph of the licensee to

28  each displayed license issued to that licensee as a direct

29  disposer.

30  

31  


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 1         Section 128.  Section 470.018, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 497.603, Florida Statutes, and amended

 3  to read:

 4         497.603 470.018  Direct disposers, renewal of license

 5  Renewal of registration of direct disposer.--

 6         (1)  A direct disposer's renewal of license The

 7  department shall renew a registration upon receipt of the

 8  renewal application and fee set by rule of the licensing

 9  authority but the department not to exceed $250.

10         (2)  There shall be adopted The department shall adopt

11  rules establishing a schedule and forms and procedure for the

12  biennial renewal of licenses as direct disposers registrations

13  . There shall be adopted The board shall prescribe by rule

14  continuing education requirements of up to 6 3 classroom hours

15  and there may by rule be established establish criteria for

16  accepting alternative nonclassroom continuing education on an

17  hour-for-hour basis, in addition to an approved a

18  board-approved course on communicable diseases that includes

19  the course on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune

20  deficiency syndrome required by s. 497.367 455.2226, for the

21  renewal of a license as a direct disposer registration.

22         Section 129.  Section 470.021, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 497.604, Florida Statutes, and amended

24  to read:

25         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

26         s. 470.021, F.S., for present text.)

27         497.604  Direct disposal establishments, license

28  required; licensing procedures and criteria; license renewal;

29  regulation.--

30         (1)  LICENSE REQUIRED.--A direct disposer shall

31  practice at a direct disposal establishment which has been


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 1  licensed under this section and which may be a cinerator

 2  facility licensed under s. 497.606. No person may open or

 3  maintain an establishment at which to engage in or hold

 4  herself or himself out as engaging in the practice of direct

 5  disposition unless such establishment is licensed pursuant to

 6  this section.

 7         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

 8         (a)  A person seeking licensure as a direct disposal

 9  establishment shall apply for such licensure using forms

10  prescribed by rule.

11         (b)  The application shall require the name, business

12  address, residence address, date and place of birth or

13  incorporation, and business phone number, of applicant and all

14  principals of applicant. The application shall require the

15  applicant's social security number, or if the applicant is an

16  entity, its federal tax identification number.

17         (c)  The application shall name the licensed direct

18  disposer or licensed funeral director who will acting as a

19  direct disposer in charge of the direct disposal

20  establishment.

21         (d)  The application may require information as to the

22  applicant's financial resources.

23         (e)  The application may require information as to the

24  educational and employment history of an individual applicant;

25  and as to applicants that are not natural persons, the

26  business and employment history of the applicant and

27  principals of applicant.

28         (f)  The application shall require the applicant to

29  disclose whether the applicant or any of applicant's

30  principals including its proposed supervising licensee has

31  ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of


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 1  no contest to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any

 2  jurisdiction.

 3         (g)  The application shall require the applicant to

 4  disclose whether the applicant or any of applicant's

 5  principals including its proposed supervising licensee has

 6  ever had a license or the authority to practice a profession

 7  or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise

 8  acted against or disciplined, by the licensing authority of

 9  any jurisdiction. A licensing authority's acceptance of a

10  relinquishment of licensure, stipulation, consent order, or

11  other settlement, offered in response to or in anticipation of

12  the filing of charges against the license, shall be construed

13  as action against the license.

14         (h)  The application shall require the applicant and

15  its principals to provide fingerprints in accordance with part

16  I of this chapter.

17         (i)  The application shall require the applicant to

18  demonstrate that the applicant does, or will before commencing

19  operations under the license, comply with all requirements of

20  this chapter relating to the licensure applied for.

21         (j)  The application shall be signed by the applicant

22  if a natural person, or by the president of an applicant that

23  is not a natural person.

24         (k)  The application shall be accompanied by a

25  nonrefundable fee of $300. The licensing authority may from

26  time to time by rule increase the fee but not to exceed $500.

27         (3)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS.--A duly completed

28  application for licensure under this section, accompanied by

29  the required fee, shall be approved if the licensing authority

30  determines that the following conditions are met:

31  


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 1         (a)  The applicant is a natural person at least 18

 2  years of age, a corporation, a partnership, or a limited

 3  liability company formed prior to January 1, 2006, which

 4  limited liability company already holds a license under this

 5  chapter.

 6         (b)  The applicant does or will prior to commencing

 7  operations under the license comply with all requirements of

 8  this chapter relating to the license applied for.

 9         (c)  Applicant and applicant's principals are of good

10  character and have no demonstrated history of lack of

11  trustworthiness or integrity in business or professional

12  matters.

13         (4)  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.--Upon approval of the

14  application by the licensing authority, the license shall be

15  issued.

16         (5)  PROBATIONARY STATUS.--It is the policy of this

17  state to encourage competition for the public benefit in the

18  direct disposal establishment business by, among other means,

19  the entry of new licensees into that business. To facilitate

20  issuance of licenses concerning applications judged by the

21  licensing authority to be borderline as to qualification for

22  licensure, the licensing authority may issue a new license

23  under this section on a probationary basis, subject to

24  conditions specified by the licensing authority on a

25  case-by-case basis, which conditions may impose special

26  monitoring, reporting, and restrictions on operations for up

27  to the first 24 months of licensure, to ensure the licensee's

28  responsibleness, competency, financial stability, and

29  compliance with this chapter. However, no such probationary

30  license shall be issued unless the licensing authority

31  determines that issuance would not pose an unreasonable risk


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  to the public, and the licensing authority must within 24

 2  months after issuance of the license either remove the

 3  probationary status or determine that the licensee is not

 4  qualified for licensure under this chapter and institute

 5  proceedings for revocation of licensure.

 6         (6)  RENEWAL OF LICENSE.--A direct disposal

 7  establishment license shall be renewed biennially pursuant to

 8  schedule, forms, procedures and upon payment of a fee of $200.

 9  The licensing authority may from time to time increase the fee

10  by rule but not to exceed $400. 

11         (7)  CHANGES SUBSEQUENT TO LICENSURE.--Each licensee

12  under this section must provide notice as required by rule

13  prior to any change in location or control of the licensee or

14  licensed person in charge of the licensee's operations. Any

15  such change is subject to disapproval or to reasonable

16  conditions imposed by the licensing authority, for the

17  protection of the public to ensure compliance with this

18  chapter.

19         (8)  SUPERVISION OF FACILITIES.--Each direct disposal

20  establishment shall have one full-time licensed direct

21  disposer or licensed funeral director acting as a direct

22  disposer in charge and reasonably available to the public

23  during normal business hours for that establishment. Such

24  person may be in charge of only one facility. Such licensed

25  funeral director or licensed direct disposer shall be

26  responsible for making sure the facility, its operations, and

27  all persons employed in the facility comply with all

28  applicable state and federal laws and rules.

29         (9)  REGULATION OF DIRECT DISPOSAL ESTABLISHMENTS.--

30         (a)  There shall be established by rule standards for

31  direct disposal establishments, including, but not limited to,


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 1  requirements for refrigeration and storage of dead human

 2  bodies.

 3         (b)  The practice of direct disposition must be engaged

 4  in at a fixed location of at least 625 interior contiguous

 5  square feet and must maintain or make arrangements for

 6  suitable capacity for the refrigeration and storage of dead

 7  human bodies handled and stored by the establishment.

 8         (c)  Each direct disposal establishment shall at all

 9  times be subject to the inspection of all its buildings,

10  grounds, and vehicles used in the conduct of its business, by

11  the department, the Department of Health, and local government

12  inspectors and by their agents. There shall be adopted rules

13  which establish such inspection requirements. There shall be

14  adopted by rule of the licensing authority an annual

15  inspection fee not to exceed $300, payable upon issuance of

16  license and upon each renewal of such license.

17         (d)  Each direct disposal establishment must display at

18  the public entrance the name of the establishment and the name

19  of the direct disposer or licensed funeral director acting as

20  a direct disposer responsible for that establishment. A direct

21  disposal establishment must transact its business under the

22  name by which it is licensed.

23         (e)  A direct disposal establishment may not be

24  operated at the same location as any other direct disposal

25  establishment or funeral establishment unless such

26  establishments were licensed as colocated establishments on

27  July 1, 2000.

28         Section 130.  Section 470.022, Florida Statutes, is

29  renumbered as section 497.605, Florida Statutes, and amended

30  to read:

31  


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 1         497.605 470.022  Direct disposition not funeral

 2  directing.--The duties, functions, and services performed by a

 3  direct disposer licensee registrant, as provided by this

 4  chapter, shall not be deemed to constitute funeral directing

 5  or embalming or the duties, functions, or services performed

 6  by a funeral director or embalmer as otherwise defined and

 7  provided by this chapter.

 8         Section 131.  Section 470.025, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 497.606, Florida Statutes, and amended

10  to read:

11         (Substantial rewording of section.  See

12         s. 470.025, F.S., for present text.)

13         497.606  Cinerator facility, licensure required;

14  licensing procedures and criteria; license renewal;

15  regulation.--

16         (1)  LICENSE REQUIRED.--No person may conduct,

17  maintain, manage, or operate a cinerator facility unless a

18  license for such facility has been issued and is in good

19  standing under this section.

20         (2)  APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

21         (a)  A person seeking licensure as a cinerator facility

22  shall apply for such licensure using forms prescribed by rule.

23         (b)  The application shall require the name, business

24  address, residence address, date and place of birth or

25  incorporation, and business phone number, of applicant and all

26  principals of applicant. The application shall require the

27  applicant's social security number, or if the applicant is an

28  entity, its federal tax identification number.

29         (c)  The application shall name the licensed funeral

30  director or licensed direct disposer who will be in charge of

31  the cinerator facility.


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 1         (d)  The application may require information as to the

 2  applicant's financial resources.

 3         (e)  The application may require information as to the

 4  educational and employment history of an individual applicant,

 5  and as to applicants that are not natural persons, the

 6  business and employment history of the applicant and

 7  principals of applicant.

 8         (f)  The application shall require the applicant to

 9  disclose whether the applicant or any of applicant's

10  principals including its proposed supervising licensee has

11  ever been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of

12  no contest to, regardless of adjudication, any crime in any

13  jurisdiction.

14         (g)  The application shall require the applicant to

15  disclose whether the applicant or any of applicant's

16  principals including its proposed supervising licensee has

17  ever had a license or the authority to practice a profession

18  or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise

19  acted against or disciplined, by the licensing authority of

20  any jurisdiction. A licensing authority's acceptance of a

21  relinquishment of licensure, stipulation, consent order, or

22  other settlement, offered in response to or in anticipation of

23  the filing of charges against the license, shall be construed

24  as action against the license.

25         (h)  The application shall require the applicant and

26  its principals to provide fingerprints in accordance with part

27  I of this chapter.

28         (i)  The application shall require the applicant to

29  demonstrate that the applicant does, or will before commencing

30  operations under the license, comply with all requirements of

31  this chapter relating to the licensure applied for.


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 1         (j)  The application shall be signed by the applicant

 2  if a natural person, or by the president of an applicant that

 3  is not a natural person.

 4         (k)  The application shall be accompanied by a

 5  nonrefundable fee of $300. The licensing authority may from

 6  time to time increase the fee by rule but not to exceed $500.

 7         (3)  ACTION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS.--A duly completed

 8  application for licensure under this section, accompanied by

 9  the required fee, shall be approved if the licensing authority

10  determines that the following conditions are met:

11         (a)  No license may be issued unless the cinerator

12  facility has been inspected and approved as meeting all

13  requirements as set forth by the department, the Department of

14  Health, the Department of Environmental Protection, or any

15  local ordinance regulating the facility.

16         (b)  The applicant is a natural person at least 18

17  years of age, a corporation, a partnership, or a limited

18  liability company formed prior to January 1, 2006, which

19  limited liability company already holds a license under this

20  chapter.

21         (c)  The applicant does or will prior to commencing

22  operations under the license comply with all requirements of

23  this chapter relating to the license applied for.

24         (d)  Applicant and applicant's principals are of good

25  character and have no demonstrated history of lack of

26  trustworthiness or integrity in business or professional

27  matters.

28         (4)  PROBATIONARY STATUS.--It is the policy of this

29  state to encourage competition for the public benefit in the

30  cinerator facility business by, among other means, the entry

31  of new licensees into that business. To facilitate issuance of


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  licenses concerning applications judged by the licensing

 2  authority to be borderline as to qualification for licensure,

 3  the licensing authority may issue a new license under this

 4  section on a probationary basis, subject to conditions

 5  specified by the licensing authority on a case-by-case basis,

 6  which conditions may impose special monitoring, reporting, and

 7  restrictions on operations for up to the first 24 months of

 8  licensure, to ensure the licensee's responsibleness,

 9  competency, financial stability, and compliance with this

10  chapter. Provided, no such probationary license shall be

11  issued unless the licensing authority determines that issuance

12  would not pose an unreasonable risk to the public, and the

13  licensing authority must within 24 months after issuance of

14  the license either remove the probationary status or determine

15  that the licensee is not qualified for licensure under this

16  chapter and institute proceedings for revocation of licensure.

17         (5)  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.--Upon approval of the

18  application by the licensing authority, the license shall be

19  issued.

20         (6)  RENEWAL OF LICENSE.--Licenses under this section

21  shall be renewed biennially in accordance with a schedule,

22  forms, and procedures established by rule. The nonrefundable

23  and nonproratable biennial renewal fee shall be as determined

24  by licensing authority rule but not to exceed $500.

25         (7)  CHANGES SUBSEQUENT TO LICENSURE.--Each licensee

26  under this section must provide notice as required by rule

27  prior to any change in location, control, or licensed person

28  in charge. Any such change is subject to disapproval or to

29  reasonable conditions imposed by the licensing authority, for

30  the protection of the public to ensure compliance with this

31  chapter.


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 1         (8)  SUPERVISION OF FACILITIES.--Each cinerator

 2  facility shall have one full-time licensed direct disposer or

 3  licensed funeral director in charge for that facility. Such

 4  person may be in charge of only one facility. Such licensed

 5  funeral director or licensed direct disposer shall be

 6  responsible for making sure the facility, its operations, and

 7  all persons employed in the facility comply with all

 8  applicable state and federal laws and rules.

 9         (9)  REGULATION OF CINERATOR FACILITIES.--

10         (a)  There shall be established by rule standards for

11  cinerator facilities, including, but not limited to,

12  requirements for refrigeration and storage of dead human

13  bodies, use of forms and contracts, and record retention.

14         (b)  No more than one dead human body may be placed in

15  a retort at one time, unless written permission has been

16  received from a legally authorized person for each body. The

17  operator of a cinerator facility shall be entitled to rely on

18  the permission of a legally authorized person to cremate more

19  than one human body at a time.

20         (c)  Each cinerator facility shall at all times be

21  subject to the inspection of all its buildings, grounds,

22  records, equipment, and vehicles used in the conduct of its

23  business, by the department, the Department of Environmental

24  Protection, the Department of Health, and local government

25  inspectors and by their agents. Rules shall be adopted which

26  establish such inspection requirements. There shall by rule of

27  the licensing authority be adopted an annual inspection fee

28  not to exceed $300, payable prior to issuance of license and

29  upon each renewal of such license.

30         (d)  A cinerator facility licensed under this section

31  shall only receive dead human bodies for cremation. A


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  cinerator facility may not receive other materials, or

 2  medical, hazardous, and biohazardous waste, for the purpose of

 3  disposal in a retort.

 4         (e)  Each cinerator facility must display at its public

 5  entrance the name of the facility and the name of the funeral

 6  director or direct disposer responsible for that facility. A

 7  cinerator facility must transact its business under the name

 8  by which it is licensed.

 9         (f)  A cinerator facility located at the same address

10  as a funeral establishment may not have a direct disposer as

11  its individual in charge.

12         (g)  A cinerator facility shall not place human remains

13  or body parts in a retort or cremation chamber unless the

14  human remains are in an alternative container, cremation

15  container, or casket. Human remains may be transported in a

16  cremation container or stored if they are completely covered,

17  and at all times treated with dignity and respect. Cremation

18  may include the processing and pulverization of bone

19  fragments. Cremated remains may be placed in a temporary

20  container following cremation. None of the provisions

21  contained in this subsection require the purchase of a casket

22  for cremation. This subsection applies to at-need contracts

23  and preneed contracts entered into pursuant to this chapter

24  after June 1, 1996.

25         (h)  Each cinerator facility shall ensure that all

26  alternative containers, cremation containers, or caskets used

27  for cremation contain no amount of chlorinated plastics not

28  authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection, that

29  they also are composed of readily combustible materials

30  suitable for cremation, able to be closed to provide a

31  complete covering for the human remains, resistant to leakage


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  or spillage, rigid enough for handling with ease, and able to

 2  provide for the health, safety, and personal integrity of the

 3  public and crematory personnel.

 4         (i)  There shall be adopted by rule criteria for

 5  acceptable cremation and alternative containers.

 6         (j)  There shall be rules adopted requiring each

 7  facility to submit periodic reports to the department which

 8  include the names of persons cremated, the date and county of

 9  death, the name of each person supervising each cremation, the

10  name and license number of the establishment requesting

11  cremation, and the types of containers used to hold the body

12  during cremation.

13         (k)  Each cinerator facility must be inspected prior to

14  the issuance and renewal of its license and shall:

15         1.  Maintain one or more retorts for the reduction of

16  dead human bodies.

17         2.  Maintain refrigeration that satisfies the standards

18  set by the Department of Health and contains a sufficient

19  number of shelves for the average daily number of bodies

20  stored, if unembalmed bodies are kept at the site.

21         3.  Maintain sufficient pollution control equipment to

22  comply with requirements of the Department of Environmental

23  Protection in order to secure annual approved certification.

24         4.  Either have on site or immediately available

25  sufficient sealed containers of a type required for the

26  transportation of bodies as specified in applicable state

27  rules.

28         5.  Maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary

29  condition.

30         6.  Have appropriate Department of Environmental

31  Protection permits.


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 1         7.  Retain all signed contracts for a period of at

 2  least 2 years.

 3         Section 132.  Section 470.0255, Florida Statutes, is

 4  renumbered as section 497.607, Florida Statutes, and amended

 5  to read:

 6         497.607 470.0255  Cremation; procedure required.--

 7         (1)  At the time of the arrangement for a cremation

 8  performed by any person licensed pursuant to this chapter, the

 9  person contracting for cremation services shall be required to

10  designate his or her or his intentions with respect to the

11  disposition of the cremated remains of the deceased in a

12  signed declaration of intent which shall be provided by and

13  retained by the funeral or direct disposal establishment. A

14  cremation may not be performed until a legally authorized

15  person gives written authorization for such cremation. The

16  cremation must be performed within 48 hours after a specified

17  time which has been agreed to in writing by the person

18  authorizing the cremation.

19         (2)  With respect to any person who intends to provide

20  for the cremation of the deceased, if, after a period of 120

21  days from the time of cremation the cremated remains have not

22  been claimed, the funeral or direct disposal establishment may

23  dispose of the cremated remains. Such disposal shall include

24  scattering them at sea or placing them in a licensed cemetery

25  scatter garden or pond or in a church columbarium or otherwise

26  disposing of the remains as provided by rule of the department

27  or board.

28         (3)  Pursuant to the request of a legally authorized

29  person and incidental to final disposition, cremation may be

30  performed on parts of human remains. This subsection does not

31  


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  authorize the cremation of body parts as defined in s.

 2  497.005.

 3         Section 133.  Section 497.608, Florida Statutes, is

 4  created to read:

 5         497.608  Liability for unintentional commingling of the

 6  residue of the cremation process.--

 7         (1)  The Legislature recognizes that the unintentional

 8  or incidental commingling of the residue of the cremation of

 9  human remains is an inevitable byproduct of the cremation

10  process in a cinerator retort or cremation chamber.

11         (2)  The operator of a cinerator facility shall

12  establish written procedures for the removal of cremated

13  remains, to the extent possible, resulting from the cremation

14  of a human body and the postcremation processing, shipping,

15  packing or identifying of those remains. The operator of a

16  cinerator facility shall file its written procedures, and any

17  revisions to those written procedures, with the licensing

18  authority for its approval, and effective January 1, 2006, the

19  cremation facility shall not be operated unless it has and

20  follows such written procedures approved by the licensing

21  authority; provided, the licensing authority may adopt by rule

22  standard uniform procedures for the removal of such cremated

23  remains, which may be adopted by any cinerator facility in

24  lieu of promulgating, filing, and obtaining approval of

25  procedures. A cinerator facility choosing to the utilize

26  standard uniform procedures specified by rule shall file

27  notice of its choice with the licensing authority pursuant to

28  procedures and forms specified by rule.

29         (3)  If an operator follows the procedures set forth in

30  written procedures filed and approved by the licensing

31  authority, or adopts and follows the standard uniform


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  procedures adopted by the licensing authority, the operator

 2  shall not liable for the unintentional or the incidental

 3  commingling of cremated remains resulting from more than one

 4  cremation cycle or from postcremation processing, shipping,

 5  packing, or identifying those remains.

 6         (4)  A copy of the procedures being utilized by a

 7  cinerator facility shall be provided by the cinerator facility

 8  upon request, to customers and their representatives, the

 9  department, and other legally authorized persons.

10         Section 134.  Section 20.121, Florida Statutes, is

11  amended to read:

12         20.121  Department of Financial Services.--There is

13  created a Department of Financial Services.

14         (1)  DEPARTMENT HEAD.--The head of the Department of

15  Financial Services is the Chief Financial Officer.

16         (2)  DIVISIONS.--The Department of Financial Services

17  shall consist of the following divisions:

18         (a)  The Division of Accounting and Auditing, which

19  shall include the following bureau and office:

20         1.  The Bureau of Unclaimed Property.

21         2.  The Office of Fiscal Integrity which shall function

22  as a criminal justice agency for purposes of ss.

23  943.045-943.08 and shall have a separate budget. The office

24  may conduct investigations within or outside this state as the

25  bureau deems necessary to aid in the enforcement of this

26  section. If during an investigation the office has reason to

27  believe that any criminal law of this state has or may have

28  been violated, the office shall refer any records tending to

29  show such violation to state or federal law enforcement or

30  prosecutorial agencies and shall provide investigative

31  assistance to those agencies as required.


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1         (b)  The Division of State Fire Marshal.

 2         (c)  The Division of Risk Management.

 3         (d)  The Division of Treasury, which shall include a

 4  Bureau of Deferred Compensation responsible for administering

 5  the Government Employees Deferred Compensation Plan

 6  established under s. 112.215 for state employees.

 7         (e)  The Division of Insurance Fraud.

 8         (f)  The Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation.

 9         (g)  The Division of Insurance Agents and Agency

10  Services.

11         (h)  The Division of Consumer Services, which shall

12  include a Bureau of Funeral and Cemetery Services.

13         1.  The Division of Consumer Services shall perform the

14  following functions concerning products or services regulated

15  by the Department of Financial Services or by either office of

16  the Financial Services Commission:

17         a.  Receive inquiries and complaints from consumers.;

18         b.  Prepare and disseminate such information as the

19  department deems appropriate to inform or assist consumers.;

20         c.  Provide direct assistance and advocacy for

21  consumers who request such assistance or advocacy.;

22         d.  With respect to apparent or potential violations of

23  law or applicable rules by a person or entity licensed by the

24  department or by either office of the commission, report such

25  apparent or potential violation to the appropriate division of

26  the department or office of the commission, which may take

27  such further action as it deems appropriate.

28         2.  Any person licensed or issued a certificate of

29  authority by the department or by the Office of Insurance

30  Regulation shall respond, in writing, to the Division of

31  Consumer Services within 20 days after receipt of a written


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  request for information from the division concerning a

 2  consumer complaint. The response must address the issues and

 3  allegations raised in this complaint. The division may, in its

 4  discretion, impose an administrative penalty for failure to

 5  comply with this subparagraph in an amount up to $2,500 per

 6  violation upon any entity licensed by the department or the

 7  Office of Insurance Regulation and $250 for the first

 8  violation, $500 for the second violation and up to $1,000 per

 9  violation thereafter upon any individual licensed by the

10  department or the Office of Insurance Regulation.

11         3.  The department may adopt rules to implement the

12  provisions of this paragraph.

13         4.  The powers, duties, and responsibilities expressed

14  or granted in this paragraph shall not limit the powers,

15  duties, and responsibilities of the Department of Financial

16  Services, the Financial Services Commission, the Office of

17  Insurance Regulation, or the Office of Financial Regulation

18  set forth elsewhere in the Florida Statutes.

19         (i)  The Division of Workers' Compensation.

20         (j)  The Division of Administration.

21         (k)  The Division of Legal Services.

22         (l)  The Division of Information Systems.

23         (m)  The Office of Insurance Consumer Advocate.

24         (n)  The Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer

25  Services.

26         (3)  FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION.--Effective January

27  7, 2003, there is created within the Department of Financial

28  Services the Financial Services Commission, composed of the

29  Governor, the Attorney General, the Chief Financial Officer,

30  and the Commissioner of Agriculture, which shall for purposes

31  of this section be referred to as the commission. Commission


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  members shall serve as agency head of the Financial Services

 2  Commission. The commission shall be a separate budget entity

 3  and shall be exempt from the provisions of s. 20.052.

 4  Commission action shall be by majority vote consisting of at

 5  least three affirmative votes. The commission shall not be

 6  subject to control, supervision, or direction by the

 7  Department of Financial Services in any manner, including

 8  purchasing, transactions involving real or personal property,

 9  personnel, or budgetary matters.

10         (a)  Structure.--The major structural unit of the

11  commission is the office. Each office shall be headed by a

12  director. The following offices are established:

13         1.  The Office of Insurance Regulation, which shall be

14  responsible for all activities concerning insurers and other

15  risk bearing entities, including licensing, rates, policy

16  forms, market conduct, claims, adjusters, issuance of

17  certificates of authority, solvency, viatical settlements,

18  premium financing, and administrative supervision, as provided

19  under the insurance code or chapter 636. The head of the

20  Office of Insurance Regulation is the Director of the Office

21  of Insurance Regulation.

22         2.  The Office of Financial Regulation, which shall be

23  responsible for all activities of the Financial Services

24  Commission relating to the regulation of banks, credit unions,

25  other financial institutions, finance companies, and the

26  securities industry. The head of the office is the Director of

27  the Office of Financial Regulation. The Office of Financial

28  Regulation shall include a Bureau of Financial Investigations,

29  which shall function as a criminal justice agency for purposes

30  of ss. 943.045-943.08 and shall have a separate budget. The

31  bureau may conduct investigations within or outside this state


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  as the bureau deems necessary to aid in the enforcement of

 2  this section. If, during an investigation, the office has

 3  reason to believe that any criminal law of this state has or

 4  may have been violated, the office shall refer any records

 5  tending to show such violation to state or federal law

 6  enforcement or prosecutorial agencies and shall provide

 7  investigative assistance to those agencies as required.

 8         (b)  Organization.--The commission shall establish by

 9  rule any additional organizational structure of the offices.

10  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide the commission

11  with the flexibility to organize the offices in any manner

12  they determine appropriate to promote both efficiency and

13  accountability.

14         (c)  Powers.--Commission members shall serve as the

15  agency head for purposes of rulemaking under ss.

16  120.536-120.565 by the commission and all subunits of the

17  commission. Each director is agency head for purposes of final

18  agency action under chapter 120 for all areas within the

19  regulatory authority delegated to the director's office.

20         (d)  Appointment and qualifications of directors.--The

21  commission shall appoint or remove each director by a majority

22  vote consisting of at least three affirmative votes, with both

23  the Governor and the Chief Financial Officer on the prevailing

24  side. The minimum qualifications of the directors are as

25  follows:

26         1.  Prior to appointment as director, the Director of

27  the Office of Insurance Regulation must have had, within the

28  previous 10 years, at least 5 years of responsible private

29  sector experience working full time in areas within the scope

30  of the subject matter jurisdiction of the Office of Insurance

31  Regulation or at least 5 years of experience as a senior


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  examiner or other senior employee of a state or federal agency

 2  having regulatory responsibility over insurers or insurance

 3  agencies.

 4         2.  Prior to appointment as director, the Director of

 5  the Office of Financial Regulation must have had, within the

 6  previous 10 years, at least 5 years of responsible private

 7  sector experience working full time in areas within the

 8  subject matter jurisdiction of the Office of Financial

 9  Regulation or at least 5 years of experience as a senior

10  examiner or other senior employee of a state or federal agency

11  having regulatory responsibility over financial institutions,

12  finance companies, or securities companies.

13         (e)  Administrative support.--The offices shall have a

14  sufficient number of attorneys, examiners, investigators,

15  other professional personnel to carry out their

16  responsibilities and administrative personnel as determined

17  annually in the appropriations process. The Department of

18  Financial Services shall provide administrative and

19  information systems support to the offices.

20         (f)  Records retention schedules.--The commission and

21  the offices may destroy general correspondence files and also

22  any other records that they deem no longer necessary to

23  preserve in accordance with retention schedules and

24  destruction notices established under rules of the Division of

25  Library and Information Services, records and information

26  management program, of the Department of State. Such schedules

27  and notices relating to financial records of the commission

28  and offices shall be subject to the approval of the Auditor

29  General.

30         (g)  Records storage.--The commission and offices may

31  photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on film such


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 1  documents and records as they may select, in such manner that

 2  each page will be exposed in exact conformity with the

 3  original. After reproduction and filing, original documents

 4  and records may be destroyed in accordance with the provisions

 5  of paragraph (f).

 6         (4)  BOARD OF FUNERAL, CEMETERY, AND CONSUMER

 7  SERVICES.--The Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer

 8  Services is created within the Division of Funeral, Cemetery,

 9  and Consumer Services of the Department of Financial Services.

10         (5)(4)  TRANSITIONAL RULES.--Effective January 7, 2003,

11  the rules of the Department of Banking and Finance and of the

12  Department of Insurance that were in effect on January 6,

13  2003, shall become rules of the Department of Financial

14  Services or the Financial Services Commission as is

15  appropriate to the corresponding regulatory or constitutional

16  function and shall remain in effect until specifically amended

17  or repealed in the manner provided by law.

18         Section 135.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of

19  section 20.165, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         20.165  Department of Business and Professional

21  Regulation.--There is created a Department of Business and

22  Professional Regulation.

23         (4)(a)  The following boards are established within the

24  Division of Professions:

25         1.  Board of Architecture and Interior Design, created

26  under part I of chapter 481.

27         2.  Florida Board of Auctioneers, created under part VI

28  of chapter 468.

29         3.  Barbers' Board, created under chapter 476.

30         4.  Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors

31  Board, created under part XII of chapter 468.


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 1         5.  Construction Industry Licensing Board, created

 2  under part I of chapter 489.

 3         6.  Board of Cosmetology, created under chapter 477.

 4         7.  Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, created

 5  under part II of chapter 489.

 6         8.  Board of Employee Leasing Companies, created under

 7  part XI of chapter 468.

 8         9.  Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, created

 9  under chapter 470.

10         9.10.  Board of Landscape Architecture, created under

11  part II of chapter 481.

12         10.11.  Board of Pilot Commissioners, created under

13  chapter 310.

14         11.12.  Board of Professional Engineers, created under

15  chapter 471.

16         12.13.  Board of Professional Geologists, created under

17  chapter 492.

18         13.14.  Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers,

19  created under chapter 472.

20         14.15.  Board of Veterinary Medicine, created under

21  chapter 474.

22         Section 136.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of

23  section 316.1974, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

24         316.1974  Funeral procession right-of-way and

25  liability.--

26         (1)  DEFINITIONS.--

27         (a)  "Funeral director" and "funeral establishment"

28  shall have the same meaning as set forth in s. 497.005

29  470.002.

30         Section 137.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of

31  section 381.0098, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:


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 1         381.0098  Biomedical waste.--

 2         (2)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:

 3         (a)  "Biomedical waste" means any solid or liquid waste

 4  which may present a threat of infection to humans. The term

 5  includes, but is not limited to, nonliquid human tissue and

 6  body parts; laboratory and veterinary waste which contains

 7  human-disease-causing agents; discarded disposable sharps;

 8  human blood, blood products, and body fluids; and other

 9  materials which in the opinion of the department represent a

10  significant risk of infection to persons outside the

11  generating facility. The term does not include human remains

12  that are disposed of by persons licensed under chapter 497

13  470.

14         Section 138.  Subsection (7) of section 382.002,

15  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         382.002  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the

17  term:

18         (7)  "Funeral director" means a licensed funeral

19  director or direct disposer licensed pursuant to chapter 497

20  470 or other person who first assumes custody of or effects

21  the final disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described

22  in subsection (5).

23         Section 139.  Subsections (21), (37), and (39) of

24  section 403.703, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

25         403.703  Definitions.--As used in this act, unless the

26  context clearly indicates otherwise, the term:

27         (21)  "Hazardous waste" means solid waste, or a

28  combination of solid wastes, which, because of its quantity,

29  concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious

30  characteristics, may cause, or significantly contribute to, an

31  increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible


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 1  or incapacitating reversible illness or may pose a substantial

 2  present or potential hazard to human health or the environment

 3  when improperly transported, disposed of, stored, treated, or

 4  otherwise managed. The term does not include human remains

 5  that are disposed of by persons licensed under chapter 497

 6  470.

 7         (37)  "Biomedical waste" means any solid waste or

 8  liquid waste which may present a threat of infection to

 9  humans. The term includes, but is not limited to, nonliquid

10  human tissue and body parts; laboratory and veterinary waste

11  which contain human-disease-causing agents; discarded

12  disposable sharps; human blood, and human blood products and

13  body fluids; and other materials which in the opinion of the

14  Department of Health represent a significant risk of infection

15  to persons outside the generating facility. The term does not

16  include human remains that are disposed of by persons licensed

17  under chapter 497 470.

18         (39)  "Biological waste" means solid waste that causes

19  or has the capability of causing disease or infection and

20  includes, but is not limited to, biomedical waste, diseased or

21  dead animals, and other wastes capable of transmitting

22  pathogens to humans or animals. The term does not include

23  human remains that are disposed of by persons licensed under

24  chapter 497 470.

25         Section 140.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of

26  section 406.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

27         406.02  Medical Examiners Commission; membership;

28  terms; duties; staff.--

29         (1)  There is created the Medical Examiners Commission

30  within the Department of Law Enforcement. The commission shall

31  consist of nine persons appointed or selected as follows:


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 1         (a)  The Governor shall appoint:

 2         1.  Two members who are physicians licensed pursuant to

 3  chapter 458 or chapter 459 and who are active district medical

 4  examiners;

 5         2.  One member who is a funeral director licensed

 6  pursuant to chapter 497 470;

 7         3.  One member who is a state attorney;

 8         4.  One member who is a public defender;

 9         5.  One member who is a sheriff; and

10         6.  One member who is a county commissioner.

11         Section 141.  Section 406.50, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         406.50  Unclaimed dead bodies or human remains;

14  disposition, procedure.--All public officers, agents, or

15  employees of every county, city, village, town, or

16  municipality and every person in charge of any prison, morgue,

17  hospital, funeral parlor, or mortuary and all other persons

18  coming into possession, charge, or control of any dead human

19  body or remains which are unclaimed or which are required to

20  be buried or cremated at public expense are hereby required to

21  notify, immediately, the anatomical board, whenever any such

22  body, bodies, or remains come into its possession, charge, or

23  control. Notification of the anatomical board is not required

24  if the death was caused by crushing injury, the deceased had a

25  contagious disease, an autopsy was required to determine cause

26  of death, the body was in a state of severe decomposition, or

27  a family member objects to use of the body for medical

28  education and research.

29         (1)  The person or entity in charge or control of the

30  dead body or human remains shall make a reasonable effort to

31  determine:


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 1         (a)  The identity of the deceased person and shall

 2  further make a reasonable effort to contact any relatives of

 3  such deceased person.

 4         (b)  Whether or not the deceased person is entitled to

 5  burial in a national cemetery as a veteran of the armed forces

 6  and, if so, shall make arrangements for such burial services

 7  in accordance with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. For purposes of

 8  this subsection, "a reasonable effort" includes contacting the

 9  county veterans service office or regional office of the

10  United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

11         (2)  Such dead human bodies as described in this

12  chapter shall be delivered to the anatomical board as soon as

13  possible after death.

14         (3)  Nothing herein shall affect the right of a medical

15  examiner to hold such dead body or remains for the purpose of

16  investigating the cause of death, nor shall this chapter

17  affect the right of any court of competent jurisdiction to

18  enter an order affecting the disposition of such body or

19  remains.

20         (4)  In the event more than one legally authorized

21  person claims a body for interment, the requests shall be

22  prioritized in accordance with s. 732.103.

23  

24  For purposes of this chapter, the term "anatomical board"

25  means the anatomical board of this state located at the

26  University of Florida Health Science Center, and the term

27  "unclaimed" means a dead body or human remains that is not

28  claimed by a legally authorized person, as defined in s.

29  497.005, for interment at that person's expense.

30         Section 142.  Section 406.52, Florida Statutes, is

31  amended to read:


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 1         406.52  Retention of bodies before use; unfit or excess

 2  number of bodies, disposition procedure.--All bodies received

 3  by the anatomical board shall be retained in receiving vaults

 4  for a period of not less than 48 hours before allowing their

 5  use for medical science; if at any time more bodies are made

 6  available to the anatomical board than can be used for medical

 7  science under its jurisdiction, or if a body shall be deemed

 8  by the anatomical board to be unfit for anatomical purposes,

 9  the anatomical board may notify, in writing, the county

10  commissioners or other legally authorized person, as defined

11  in s. 497.005 470.002, in the county where such person died,

12  to cause it to be buried or cremated in accordance with the

13  rules, laws and practices for disposing of such unclaimed

14  bodies. However, prior to having any body buried or cremated,

15  the county shall make a reasonable effort to determine the

16  identity of the body and shall further make a reasonable

17  effort to contact any relatives of the deceased person. If a

18  relative of the deceased person is contacted and expresses a

19  preference for either burial or cremation, the county shall

20  make a reasonable effort to accommodate the request of the

21  relative. For purposes of this section, the county

22  commissioners of the county where such person died shall be

23  considered a legally authorized person as defined in s.

24  497.005 470.002. A person licensed under chapter 470 or

25  chapter 497 shall not be liable for any damages resulting from

26  cremating or burying such body at the direction of the

27  county's legally authorized person.

28         Section 143.  Section 406.53, Florida Statutes, is

29  amended to read:

30  

31  


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 1         406.53  Death of indigents; notice; delivery to the

 2  anatomical board when unclaimed; exceptions; assessment of

 3  fees.--

 4         (1)  Notice of death to the anatomical board in cases

 5  of indigent persons is not required if:

 6         (a)  Death was caused by crushing injury.

 7         (b)  The deceased had a contagious disease.

 8         (c)  An autopsy was required to determine cause of

 9  death.

10         (d)  The body was in a state of severe decomposition.

11         (e)  Any relative, by blood or marriage, claims the

12  body for burial at the expense of such relative, but the body

13  shall be surrendered to the claimant for interment, but if

14  such relative is indigent, in a manner consistent with the

15  policy of the agency in possession or control of the body.

16         (f)  Any friend or any representative of a fraternal

17  society of which the deceased was a member, or a

18  representative of any charitable or religious organization, or

19  a governmental agency which was providing residential care to

20  the indigent person at the time of his or her death claims the

21  body for burial at his or her, its, or their expense.

22         (g)  The deceased person was an honorably discharged

23  member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the state

24  who served during a period of wartime service as defined in s.

25  1.01(14); but such body shall be buried in accordance with the

26  provisions of the existing laws.

27         (2)  When the Department of Health claims the body of a

28  client according to this section, the department shall assess

29  fees for burial pursuant to s. 402.33.

30         (3)  For purposes of this chapter, the term indigent

31  shall be 100 percent of the federal poverty level recognized


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 1  by the Federal Income Guidelines produced by the United States

 2  Department of Health and Human Services.

 3         Section 144.  Subsection (1) of section 455.2226,

 4  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 5         455.2226  Funeral directors and embalmers; instruction

 6  on HIV and AIDS.--

 7         (1)  The Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers shall

 8  require each person licensed or certified under chapter 497

 9  470 to complete a continuing educational course, approved by

10  the board, on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune

11  deficiency syndrome as part of biennial relicensure or

12  recertification. The course shall consist of education on the

13  modes of transmission, infection control procedures, clinical

14  management, and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and

15  acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Such course shall include

16  information on current Florida law on acquired immune

17  deficiency syndrome and its impact on testing, confidentiality

18  of test results, and treatment of patients.

19         Section 145.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of

20  section 501.022, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

21         501.022  Home solicitation sale; permit required.--

22         (1)

23         (b)  The following are excluded from the operation of

24  this section:

25         1.  Bona fide agents, business representatives, or

26  salespersons making calls or soliciting orders at the usual

27  place of business of a customer regarding products or services

28  for use in connection with the customer's business.

29         2.  Solicitors, salespersons, or agents making a call

30  or business visit upon the express invitation, oral or

31  written, of an inhabitant of the premises or her or his agent.


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 1         3.  Telephone solicitors, salespersons, or agents

 2  making calls which involve transactions that are unsolicited

 3  by the consumer and consummated by telephone and without any

 4  other contact between the buyer and the seller or its

 5  representative prior to delivery of the goods or performance

 6  of the services.

 7         4.  Solicitors, salespersons, or agents conducting a

 8  sale, lease, or rental of consumer goods or services by

 9  sample, catalog, or brochure for future delivery.

10         5.  Minors, as defined in s. 1.01(13), conducting home

11  solicitation sales under the supervision of an adult

12  supervisor who holds a valid home solicitation sale permit.

13  Minors excluded from operation of this section must, however,

14  carry personal identification which includes their full name,

15  date of birth, residence address, and employer and the name

16  and permit number of their adult supervisor.

17         6.  Those sellers or their representatives that are

18  currently regulated as to the sale of goods and services by

19  chapter 470, chapter 475, or chapter 497.

20         7.  Solicitors, salespersons, or agents making calls or

21  soliciting orders on behalf of a religious, charitable,

22  scientific, educational, or veterans' institution or

23  organization holding a sales tax exemption certificate under

24  s. 212.08(7)(a).

25         Section 146.  Subsection (15) of section 501.604,

26  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

27         501.604  Exemptions.--The provisions of this part,

28  except ss. 501.608 and 501.616(6) and (7), do not apply to:

29         (15)  A person who is licensed pursuant to chapter 470

30  or chapter 497 and who is soliciting within the scope of the

31  license.


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 1         Section 147.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of

 2  section 626.785, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 3         626.785  Qualifications for license.--

 4         (1)  The department shall not grant or issue a license

 5  as life agent to any individual found by it to be

 6  untrustworthy or incompetent, or who does not meet the

 7  following qualifications:

 8         (d)  Must not be a funeral director or direct disposer,

 9  or an employee or representative thereof, or have an office

10  in, or in connection with, a funeral establishment, except

11  that a funeral establishment may contract with a life

12  insurance agent to sell a preneed contract as defined in s.

13  497.005 chapter 497. Notwithstanding other provisions of this

14  chapter, such insurance agent may sell limited policies of

15  insurance covering the expense of final disposition or burial

16  of an insured in the amount of $12,500, plus an annual

17  percentage increase based on the Annual Consumer Price Index

18  compiled by the United States Department of Labor, beginning

19  with the Annual Consumer Price Index announced by the United

20  States Department of Labor for the year 2003.

21         Section 148.  Section 765.519, Florida Statutes, is

22  amended to read:

23         765.519  Enucleation of eyes by licensed funeral

24  directors.--With respect to a gift of an eye as provided for

25  in this part, a licensed funeral director as defined in

26  chapter 497 470 who has completed a course in eye enucleation

27  and has received a certificate of competence from the

28  Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Florida

29  School of Medicine, the University of South Florida School of

30  Medicine, or the University of Miami School of Medicine may

31  enucleate eyes for gift after proper certification of death by


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 1  a physician and in compliance with the intent of the gift as

 2  defined in this chapter. No properly certified funeral

 3  director acting in accordance with the terms of this part

 4  shall have any civil or criminal liability for eye

 5  enucleation.

 6         Section 149.  (1)  All of the statutory powers, duties

 7  and functions, records, personnel, property, and unexpended

 8  balances of appropriations, allocations, or other funds for

 9  the administration of chapter 470, Florida Statutes, related

10  to the Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, shall be

11  transferred by a type two transfer, as defined in section

12  20.06(2), Florida Statutes, from the Department of Business

13  and Professional Regulation to the Department of Financial

14  Services.

15         (2)  All of the statutory powers, duties and functions,

16  records, personnel, property, and unexpended balances of

17  appropriations, allocations, or other funds for the

18  administration of chapter 497, Florida Statutes, related to

19  the Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services, shall be

20  transferred by a type two transfer, as defined in section

21  20.06(2), Florida Statutes, to the Board of Funeral, Cemetery,

22  and Consumer Services and the Department of Financial

23  Services, as appropriate.

24         Section 150.  (1)  The transfer of regulatory authority

25  under chapter 470, Florida Statutes, provided by this act

26  shall not affect the validity of any judicial or

27  administrative action pending as of 11:59 p.m. on the day

28  before the effective date of this act, to which action the

29  Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, or the Department of

30  Business and Professional Regulation in relation to the Board

31  of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, are at that time parties,


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 1  and the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services or

 2  the Department of Financial Services, as appropriate, shall be

 3  substituted as a party in interest in any such action.

 4         (2)  The transfer of regulatory authority under chapter

 5  497, Florida Statutes, provided by this act shall not affect

 6  the validity of any judicial or administrative action pending

 7  as of 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to this act taking effect,

 8  to which action the Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services, or

 9  the Department of Financial Services in relation to the Board

10  of Funeral and Cemetery Services, is at that time a party, and

11  the Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services, or the

12  Department of Financial Services, as appropriate, shall be

13  substituted as a party in interest in any such action.

14         Section 151.  (1)  All lawful orders issued by the

15  Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, or by the Department

16  of Business and Professional Regulation, implementing or

17  enforcing or otherwise in regard to any provision of chapter

18  470, Florida Statutes, issued prior to the effective date of

19  this act, shall remain in effect and be enforceable after the

20  effective date of this act, unless thereafter modified in

21  accordance with law.

22         (2)  All lawful orders issued by the Board of Funeral

23  and Cemetery Services, or the Department of Financial Services

24  in regard to the Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services,

25  implementing or enforcing or otherwise in regard to any

26  provision of chapter 497, Florida Statutes, issued prior to

27  the effective date of this act, shall remain in effect and be

28  enforceable after the effective date of this act.

29         Section 152.  (1)  The rules of the Board of Funeral

30  Directors and Embalmers and of the Department of Business and

31  Professional Regulation relating to the Board of Funeral


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 1  Directors and Embalmers or implementation of chapter 470,

 2  Florida Statutes, which were in effect at 11:59 p.m. on the

 3  day prior to this act taking effect shall become the rules of

 4  the Department of Financial Services and the Board of Funeral,

 5  Cemetery, and Consumer Services and shall remain in effect

 6  until amended or repealed in the manner provided by law.

 7         (2)  The rules of the Board of Funeral and Cemetery

 8  Services which were in effect at 11:59 p.m. on the day prior

 9  to this act taking effect shall become the rules of the

10  Department of Financial Services and the Board of Funeral,

11  Cemetery, and Consumer Services and shall remain in effect

12  until specifically amended or repealed in the manner provided

13  by law.

14         (3)  The rules of the Department of Financial Services

15  relating to chapter 497, Florida Statutes, which were in

16  effect at 11:59 P.M. on the day prior to this act taking

17  effect shall continue in force until thereafter repealed or

18  amended pursuant to chapter 120, Florida Statutes, and this

19  act.

20         Section 153.  (1)  Notwithstanding the transfer of

21  regulatory authority over chapters 470 and 497, Florida

22  Statutes, provided by this act, persons and entities holding

23  in good standing any license under chapters 470 or 497,

24  Florida Statutes, as of 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the

25  effective date of this act, shall be deemed to hold in good

26  standing a license in the same capacity under chapter 497,

27  Florida Statutes, as of the effective date of this act.

28         (2)  Notwithstanding the transfer of regulatory

29  authority over chapters 470 and 497, Florida Statutes,

30  provided by this act, persons and entities holding in good

31  standing a preneed certificate of authority under chapter 497,


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 1  Florida Statutes, as of 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the

 2  effective date of this act, shall be deemed to hold in good

 3  standing a preneed license under part IV of chapter 497,

 4  Florida Statutes, as of the effective date of this act, and

 5  their certificate of authority shall be deemed a preneed

 6  license for purposes of chapter 497, Florida Statutes.

 7         (3)  Notwithstanding the transfer of regulatory

 8  authority over chapters 470 and 497, Florida Statutes,

 9  provided by this act, persons and entities holding in good

10  standing any registration under chapters 470 or 497, Florida

11  Statutes, as of 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the effective

12  date of this act, shall as of the effective date of this act

13  be deemed to be licensed in the same capacity in which they

14  were formerly registered, and their registration shall

15  thereafter be deemed a license for purposes of chapter 497,

16  Florida Statutes.

17         Section 154.  (1)  The Department of Financial Services

18  shall, no later than November 1, 2004, notify the Department

19  of Business and Professional Regulation of its intention to

20  contract with the Department of Business and Professional

21  Regulation, another governmental agency, or a private business

22  for the implementation of a system for the administration of

23  the overall licensing process, including the processing and

24  tracking of applications for licensure, the issuance of

25  licenses approved by the board, the tracking of licenses

26  issued, the administration of the license renewal process, and

27  the collection and processing of fees relating to those

28  activities. If the Department of Financial Services elects to

29  contract with the Department of Business and Professional

30  Regulation for the services described in this subsection, they

31  shall enter into a contract no later than February 1, 2005, to


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 1  become effective upon the effective date of this act. If the

 2  Department of Financial Services elects not to contract with

 3  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for

 4  those services, the Department of Financial Services shall

 5  begin working with the Department of Business and Professional

 6  Regulation no later than February 1, 2005, for the conversion

 7  of those services, which conversion is to be completed before

 8  September 1, 2005.

 9         (2)  The Department of Financial Services shall, no

10  later than November 1, 2004, notify the Department of Business

11  and Professional Regulation of its intention to contract with

12  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the

13  development, preparation, administration, scoring, score

14  reporting, and evaluation of all examinations. If the

15  Department of Financial Services elects to contract with the

16  Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the

17  services described in this subsection, they shall enter into a

18  contract no later than February 1, 2005, to become effective

19  upon the effective date of this act. If the Department of

20  Financial Services elects not to contract with the Department

21  of Business and Professional Regulation for those services,

22  the Department of Financial Services shall begin working with

23  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation no

24  later than February 1, 2005, for the conversion of those

25  services, which conversion is to be completed before September

26  1, 2005.

27         (3)  The Department of Financial Services shall, no

28  later than November 1, 2004, notify the Department of Business

29  and Professional Regulation of its intention to contract with

30  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation,

31  another governmental agency, or a private business for the


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  continuing education compliance monitoring systems and

 2  services. If the Department of Financial Services elects to

 3  contract with the Department of Business and Professional

 4  Regulation for the services described in this subsection, they

 5  shall enter into a contract no later than February 1, 2005, to

 6  become effective upon the effective date of this act. If the

 7  Department of Financial Services elects not to contract with

 8  the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for

 9  those services, the Department of Financial Services shall

10  begin working with the Department of Business and Professional

11  Regulation no later than February 1, 2005, for the conversion

12  of those services, which conversion is to be completed before

13  September 1, 2005.

14         (4)  No later than July 1, 2005, the Department of

15  Financial Services shall begin to consult at least biweekly

16  with prosecuting attorneys and investigators of the Department

17  of Business and Professional Regulation to ensure the

18  transition of pending disciplinary matters.

19         Section 155.  The Legislature recognizes that there is

20  a need to conform the Florida Statutes to the policy decisions

21  reflected in the provisions of this act. The Division of

22  Statutory Revision is directed to provide the relevant

23  substantive committees of the Senate and the House of

24  Representatives with assistance, upon request, to enable such

25  committees to prepare draft legislation to conform the Florida

26  Statutes to the provisions of this act.

27         Section 156.  Effective at 11:59 p.m. on September 30,

28  2005, the Board of Funeral and Cemetery Services and the Board

29  of Funeral Directors and Embalmers are abolished.

30         Section 157.  Sections 470.001, 470.002, 470.003,

31  470.005, 470.019, 470.023, 470.027, 470.028, 470.031, 470.033,


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    CS for CS for SB 528                           First Engrossed



 1  470.034, 470.035, 470.036, 497.105, 497.109, 497.111, 497.113,

 2  497.115, 497.117, 497.119, 497.123, 497.125, 497.127, 497.129,

 3  497.131, 497.135, 497.137, 497.209, 497.217, 497.221, 497.225,

 4  497.233, 497.301, 497.341, 497.431, 497.435, 497.443, 497.445,

 5  497.447, 497.515, 497.517, 497.519, and 497.529, Florida

 6  Statutes, are repealed.

 7         Section 158.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this

 8  act shall take effect October 1, 2005.

 9  

10  

11  

12  

13  

14  

15  

16  

17  

18  

19  

20  

21  

22  

23  

24  

25  

26  

27  

28  

29  

30  

31  


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