SESSION OF 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2262
As Recommended by House Committee on
Health and Human Services
Brief*
HB 2262 would amend the educational requirements for
embalmers, allowing for students to complete 6 months of a
required 12-month apprenticeship before enrolling in a
mortuary science school.
Current law requires an applicant for a license to
practice embalming to complete a 12-month apprenticeship
after graduation from a school of mortuary science. The bill
would authorize an applicant for a license to practice
embalming to complete the 12-month apprenticeship as
either a:
●Full apprenticeship, with all 12 months being
served after graduation from a school of mortuary
science; or
●Split apprenticeship, with the 12-month period
being split into 2 continuous 6-month periods. The
bill would require the first 6-month period to be
completed within 12 months prior to the individual’s
enrollment in the school of mortuary science, and
the remaining 6 months would be completed after
graduation.
The bill would specify that an applicant completing a
split apprenticeship would be required to submit an
examination approved by the Board of Mortuary Arts to be
eligible for the second six-month period of the apprenticeship.
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org Apprentice embalmers pursuing a split apprenticeship would
be required to practice under the direct personal supervision
of a licensed embalmer for the first six months of their
apprenticeship.
The bill would also make technical changes.
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Health and Human Services at the request of Representative
Eplee on behalf of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association
(KFDA).
House Committee on Health and Human Services
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by a representative of the KFDA, who stated
Kansas is experiencing a shortage of embalmers, and the
addition of split apprenticeships would shorten the timeframe
for individuals to become licensed. The proponent also stated
the option of split apprenticeship would help individuals
experience the practicalities of the embalming profession
before enrolling in a school of mortuary science.
No other testimony was provided.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of the
Budget on the bill, the State Board of Mortuary Arts (Board)
indicates the agency would incur costs for additional staff
time if enactment of the bill would cause changes in the
agency’s current administrative rules and regulations.
However, the Board indicates any fiscal effect would be
negligible.
Embalmers; educational requirements; apprenticeships; mortuary science; Board of
Mortuary Arts
2- 2262