AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 46 and Title 47, relative to cemeteries.
Impact
The bill impacts existing laws by adding a layer of transparency and choice for consumers engaging in pre-need contracts with cemetery companies. It requires written disclosures regarding what days interment services can be availed of without incurring additional fees. This adjustment is intended to inform consumers about their options and the associated costs, thereby protecting them from potential future price increases for services not prepaid.
Summary
Senate Bill 1908 aims to amend certain provisions of the Tennessee Code with respect to cemeteries. Specifically, it introduces requirements for cemetery companies that offer grave spaces through pre-need contracts. This bill mandates that these companies must also provide the option for purchasers to pre-pay for both the interment rights and the interment services associated with their grave space. This development is seen as a consumer protection measure to clarify the offerings and obligations of cemetery companies to potential buyers.
Contention
While the bill appears straightforward, discussions may arise regarding the balance it attempts to strike between consumer protection and the operational flexibility of cemetery companies. There could be concerns among industry members about how these requirements might affect their business practices and their ability to set prices. The required disclosures may also prompt debates over what constitutes fair practice in the cemetery services industry, helping to ensure that consumer rights are upheld without imposing undue burdens on service providers.