Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3067 amends the Occupations Code to continue the existence of the Texas Funeral Commission until September 1, 2003, and add an owner or operator of a registered cemetery to the commission's board. It also rewrites provisions relating to conflicts of interest.

            The bill sets forth provisions requiring the inspection of a funeral establishment at least once every two years rather than annually and allowing the commission to inspect a crematory or cemetery only if a complaint is received about that facility. The bill requires the commission to adopt certain rules relating to the handling of a complaint made against a facility, as well as guidelines for consistency in determining penalties for violations, and sets criteria the commission must use in determining the amount of a penalty. The bill establishes provisions for granting a provisional license for certain applicants for a funeral director's or embalmer's license and for the registration of a cemetery or crematory. The bill also requires that a cemetery or crematory provide certain information to consumers in a retail price list and a purchase agreement.

            The bill requires the commission to contract with the Department of Information Resources to improve the compilation of certain statistics and information and to contract with the attorney general to ensure access to legal services from the attorney general for consultation about the daily operations of the commission and other legal interpretations. The bill also requires the commission to report its progress each quarter to the Sunset Advisory Commission and a task force established by the bill to monitor the funeral commission's implementation of changes.