2026 -- H 7920

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LC005255

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER

AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Furtado, Boylan, Bennett, and Cotter

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     (Dept. of Health)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 5-33.2-13 and 5-33.2-26 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-33.2

entitled "Funeral Director/Embalmer and Funeral Service Establishments" are hereby amended to

read as follows:

     5-33.2-13. Funeral establishment and branch officer — Crematories — Inspections

— Denial of access.

     (a) Any licensed funeral director/embalmer employed, authorized, and empowered by the

division of professional regulation may enter any funeral establishment, funeral-establishment

branch office, or crematory licensed under the provisions of this chapter, during the hours the

funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory is open for business, for

the purpose of inspecting the sanitary conditions, complaint investigations, and ascertaining if the

provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations are being observed in the operation of the

funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory. The inspector may

request permission from the department to be accompanied by another employee of the department

of health prior to an inspection. Failure or refusal of the person in charge of that funeral

establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory to permit the inspection at all

reasonable times shall be deemed sufficient cause for the revocation of any license issued to the

funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory and any certificate of

approval issued by the division.

     (b) Funeral establishments and branch offices and crematories licensed under the

provisions of this chapter shall be inspected at least twice once each year. Inspections shall include

all areas of sanitation and public health, complaint investigations, as well as conformity with

applicable section of this chapter and the rules and regulations.

     5-33.2-26. Licensure by endorsement.

     Any funeral director/embalmer who is currently licensed in good standing in another state

may be licensed by endorsement in Rhode Island. Every funeral director/embalmer seeking such

licensure must also be a graduate of a mortuary college, must have passed the funeral director and

embalmer portions of the written examination of the national board. Furthermore, every funeral

director/embalmer must comply with all requirements of chapter 5-33 chapter 33.2 of title 5 and

successfully complete have satisfactorily passed a practical examination in Rhode Island. Anyone

licensed in another state prior to 1985 is hereby exempt from the National Board Examination

requirements set forth in this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER

AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS

***

     This act would reduce funeral home inspections from twice a year to once a year and

remove the practical exam requirement for out-of-state funeral directors and embalmers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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