Minnesota House Bill HF1036

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Mortuary science internship requirements modified.

Impact

The modifications proposed in HF1036 are expected to have a lasting impact on the qualifications and scope of practice for future mortuary science practitioners in Minnesota. They call for a minimum of 2,080 internship hours to be completed within a three-year period, directly supervised by a licensed professional. Additionally, the commissioner of health may waive certain credit hours if the intern has completed a suitable clinical program. This flexibility could facilitate quicker entry into the profession for interns, thereby addressing potential labor shortages within the mortuary services sector.

Summary

HF1036 is a bill aimed at modifying the requirements for mortuary science internships in Minnesota. It amends existing statutes related to mortuary science education and practice by delineating more specific requirements for interns undergoing training. These amendments include provisions on how internships can be registered and requirements for supervisors, assuring that interns gain the necessary practical experience under adequate supervision. The bill stipulates that an individual can begin their internship while still enrolled in a mortuary science program, which is a significant change aimed at increasing accessibility to the profession for students.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HF1036 relates to the supervision of interns during their practical training. The bill imposes strict limits on the number of interns that a supervising professional can oversee, stipulating that only one intern may be registered under a primary supervisor at any time. Critics may argue that this could restrict opportunities for training and inhibit the number of new professionals entering the field. However, supporters of the bill emphasize the need for close supervision to ensure that interns gain the necessary skills and knowledge critical for performing sensitive duties in mortuary science.