S.B. No. 864
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of funeral establishments, including
  requirements for a retail price list of services provided by such
  establishments.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subsections (b) and (c), Section 651.303,
  Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commission by rule shall define the terms of
  employment of a provisional license holder. The terms of
  employment[:
               [(1)]  must include service by the provisional license
  holder[:
                     [(A)     of at least 17 hours a week or 73 hours a
  month; and
                     [(B)]  under actual working conditions and under
  the personal supervision of a funeral director or embalmer[; and
               [(2)     may not require more than 17 hours a week or 73
  hours a month].
         (c)  The term of the provisional license program must be at
  least 12 consecutive months but not more than 24 consecutive
  months.
         SECTION 2.  Subsection (a), Section 651.405, Occupations
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  "Retail price list" means a printed or typewritten list
  of the retail price of items or services provided by a funeral
  establishment and must include the retail price of:
               (1)  transferring a deceased person to the funeral
  establishment;
               (2)  embalming;
               (3)  using a funeral establishment facility for viewing
  the deceased;
               (4)  using a funeral establishment facility for funeral
  services;
               (5)  using a hearse;
               (6)  using a limousine;
               (7)  caskets;
               (8)  outer enclosures; [and]
               (9)  filing a claim seeking life insurance proceeds on
  behalf of the beneficiaries; and
               (10)  other itemized services provided by the funeral
  establishment staff.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter K, Chapter 651, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 651.5011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 651.5011.  CHARGING FUNERAL DIRECTOR IN CHARGE WITH
  VIOLATION. In determining whether to charge a funeral director in
  charge with a violation based on conduct for which a licensed
  employee of the funeral establishment was directly responsible, the
  commission may consider:
               (1)  the nature and seriousness of the violation;
               (2)  the extent to which the licensed employee of the
  funeral establishment whose conduct is the basis of the violation
  was under the direct supervision of the funeral director in charge
  or another person at the time the licensed employee engaged in the
  conduct; and
               (3)  the causal connection between the supervision of
  the licensed employee of the funeral establishment by the funeral
  director in charge and the conduct engaged in by the licensed
  employee that is the basis of the violation.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 864 passed the Senate on
  March 28, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 23, 2011, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 864 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 20, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 146,
  Nays 0, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor