Oklahoma Senate Bill SB957

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Funeral Services Licensing Act; removing required accreditation for education of certain licensure. Effective date.

Impact

One primary impact of SB957 is the alteration of the educational standards required for licensure. Before the bill, applicants were mandated to complete accredited programs recognized by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). By eliminating this requirement, the bill may allow unaccredited programs to operate, fostering greater accessibility but raising concerns about the adequacy of training received. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to facilitate the entry of new funeral professionals into a field that faces workforce shortages.

Summary

Senate Bill 957 addresses significant amendments to the Funeral Services Licensing Act in Oklahoma, specifically targeting the qualifications and educational requirements for funeral directors and embalmers. The bill proposes the removal of mandatory accreditation from programs of mortuary science for individuals applying for licensure, which aims to ease the entry barrier into the profession. This change is expected to streamline the licensing process for aspiring funeral service professionals and potentially increase the number of qualified individuals in the field.

Contention

However, the bill is likely to face scrutiny and contention from various stakeholders within the funeral services community. Opponents may argue that less stringent educational requirements could lead to a decline in professional standards and public confidence in funeral services. Concerns could be raised about the implications for consumer protection and the overall quality of service provided by funeral directors and embalmers if less education and practical training is mandated. The balance between accessibility and maintaining high standards in funeral service education and practice will be key points of debate.