SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2004 SESSION

043403512
HOUSE BILL NO. 1219
Offered January 14, 2004
Prefiled January 14, 2004
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2801 and 54.1-2802 of the Code of Virginia, relating to funeral services; exemption from licensure; board membership.
----------
Patrons-- Spruill; Senators: Lucas and Miller
----------
Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 54.1-2801 and 54.1-2802 the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-2801. Exemptions.

A. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any officer of local or state institutions or to the burial of the bodies of inmates of state institutions when buried at the expense of the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions.

B. Any person holding a license as a funeral director or embalmer or an equivalent in another state, having substantially similar requirements as the Board, may apply to the Board for courtesy card privileges to remove bodies from and to arrange funerals or embalm bodies in this Commonwealth. However, these privileges shall not include the right to establish or engage generally in the business of funeral directing and embalming in Virginia.

C. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any person who sells items of merchandise to consumers that will be used in connection with a funeral or an alternative to a funeral or final disposition of human remains including caskets. However, such persons shall remain subject to all federal law and regulation regarding funeral industry practices.

§ 54.1-2802. Board; appointment; terms; vacancies; meetings; quorum.

The Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers shall consist of nine members as follows: seven four funeral service licensees of the Board with at least five consecutive years of funeral service practice in this Commonwealth immediately prior to appointment and two five citizen members. The terms of office shall be for four years from July 1. Appointments shall be made annually on or before June 30 as the terms of the members respectively expire. Appointments to the Board should generally represent the geographical areas of the Commonwealth. The Board shall annually elect a president, a vice-president and a secretary-treasurer.

The Board shall hold at least two meetings each year. In addition, the Board may meet as often as its duties require. Five members shall constitute a quorum. No less than quarterly, the Board shall offer examinations for licensure. Such examinations for licensure are not required to be held in conjunction with meetings of the Board.