Texas House Bill HB1290

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the Texas Funeral Service Commission.

Impact

The proposed amendments will particularly affect those seeking licenses to operate as funeral directors and embalmers in Texas. By altering the requirements for license renewal and reinstatement, including potential penalties for late applications, the bill aims to enhance the professionalism of the industry. Additionally, it emphasizes the maintenance of high ethical standards, requiring license holders to complete ongoing education, especially in ethics, as a prerequisite for practice.

Summary

House Bill 1290 aims to amend and reorganize provisions related to the Texas Funeral Service Commission, focusing on improving the regulatory framework governing funeral services. The bill updates various sections of the Occupations Code, particularly in areas concerning the licensing and operational standards for funeral directors and embalmers. It allows for adjustments in how licenses are issued, renewed, and reinstated, thereby increasing compliance and oversight in the industry.

Contention

While there is broad support for enhancing oversight and standards in the funeral service profession, some stakeholders have raised concerns over the bill’s tougher regulatory burdens. Critics fear that the increased fees and stricter license renewal processes may disproportionately impact smaller funeral establishments. They argue that such changes could lead to a monopolization of the industry by larger firms that can afford the compliance costs, thereby reducing the diversity of available services to consumers.