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2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXXIII REGULATION OF TRADE, COMMERCE, INVESTMENTS, AND SOLICITATIONS
Chapter 497 FUNERAL, CEMETERY, AND CONSUMER SERVICES Entire Chapter
SECTION 468
Disclosure of information to the public.
F.S. 497.468
497.468 Disclosure of information to the public.—A preneed licensee offering to provide burial rights, merchandise, or services to the public shall:
(1) Provide by telephone, upon request, accurate information regarding the retail prices of burial merchandise and services offered for sale by the licensee.
(2) Fully disclose all regularly offered services and merchandise prior to the customer’s selection of burial services or merchandise. The full disclosure required shall identify the prices of all burial rights, services, and merchandise provided by the licensee.
(3) Not make any false or misleading statements of the legal requirement as to the necessity of a casket or outer burial container.
(4) Provide a good faith estimate of all fees and costs the customer will incur to use any burial rights, merchandise, or services purchased.
(5) Provide to the customer, upon the purchase of any burial right, merchandise, or service, a written contract the form of which has been approved by the licensing authority pursuant to procedures specified by rule. The written contract shall:
(a) Be completed as to all essential provisions prior to the signing of the contract by the customer.
(b) Provide an itemization of the amounts charged for all services, merchandise, and fees, which itemization shall be clearly and conspicuously segregated from everything else on the written contract.
(c) Provide a description of the merchandise covered by the contract to include, when applicable, model, manufacturer, and other relevant specifications.
(6) Provide the licensee’s policy on cancellation and refunds to each customer.
(7) In a manner established by rule of the licensing authority, provide on the signature page of the written contract, clearly and conspicuously in boldfaced 10-point type or larger, the following:
(a) The words “purchase price.”
(b) The amount to be trusted.
(c) The amount to be refunded upon contract cancellation.
(d) The amounts allocated to merchandise, services, and cash advances.
(e) The toll-free number of the department which is available for questions or complaints.
(f) A statement that the customer shall have 30 days from the date of execution of contract to cancel the contract and receive a total refund of all moneys paid for items not used.
(8) Display in its offices for free distribution to all potential customers, and provide to all customers at the time of sale, a brochure explaining how and by whom preneed sales are regulated, summarizing consumer rights under the law, and providing the name, address, and phone number of the department’s consumer affairs division. The format and content of the brochure shall be as prescribed by rule. The licensing authority may cause the publication of such brochures and by rule require that preneed licensees purchase and make available such brochures as so published, in the licensee’s offices, to all potential customers.
(9) Provide to each customer a complete description of any monument, marker, or memorialization to be placed at the gravesite pursuant to the preneed contract.
History.—s. 39, ch. 2005-155; s. 73, ch. 2018-110.