Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1451, 4th ¶, as amended by PL 1995, c. 397, §32, is further amended to read:

The board shall keep a record of all proceedings, issue all notices, certificates of registration and licenses and may cause inspections to be made at least once every 3 years of all establishments or places of business of any person engaged in the profession of funeral service in the State in order to investigate complaints or suspected violation of this chapter and the rules adopted by the board or as may otherwise be needed. The inspection must may be for the purpose of determining that these establishments and places are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner and that suitable equipment for their proper conduct is maintained and that the laws and the regulations rules of the board and of the Department of Human Services relating to the conduct of these establishments are observed. The inspection may include a review of the financial records to determine compliance with the laws and rules of the board governing prearranged funeral services or plans. The inspection may be made by members of the board upon authorization by the board or by professional technical staff.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the law governing funeral establishments and practitioners of funeral services to eliminate the requirement that a sanitation inspection be conducted every 3 years and to instead permit the State Board of Funeral Service to conduct inspections in response to complaints or alleged violations of the board's laws or rules, or as otherwise may be needed in the discretion of the board. The bill also provides the board with the authority to review financial records to determine compliance with the laws and rules applicable to prearranged funeral services or plans, also known as mortuary trust accounts.