CHAPTER 429
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 53
AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NOS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 AND 10 AND
HOUSE AMENDMENT NOS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 AND 10
AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 50. TITLE 24, DELAWARE CODE, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Three-fifths of all members elected to each House thereof concurring therein):
Section 1. Amend Chapter 50, Title 24, Delaware Code, by striking Chapter 50 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof a new Chapter 50 to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 50. BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE PRACTITIONERS
§5001. Objectives and Functions
The primary objective of the Board of Funeral Service Practitioners, to which all other objectives and purposes are secondary, is to protect the general public (specifically those persons who are direct recipients of services regulated by this Chapter) from unsafe practices, and from occupational practices which tend to reduce competition or fix the price of services rendered. The secondary objectives of the Board are to maintain minimum standards of practitioner competency, and to maintain certain standards in the delivery of services to the public. In meeting its objectives, the Board shall develop standards assuring professional competence; shall monitor complaints brought against practitioners regulated by the Board; shall adjudicate at formal complaints hearings; shall promulgate rules and regulations; and shall impose sanctions where necessary against practitioners.
§5002. Powers and Duties
The Board of Funeral Service Practitioners shall regulate funeral service practitioners. The Board shall have all of the rights, powers and duties formerly vested in the Board of Services.
§5003. License to Practice
No person may practice as a funeral director in this State who has not been licensed in accordance with this Chapter. Under such rules and regulations as the Board may adopt, the provisions of this Chapter shall not be construed to prohibit:
Persons who are licensed to practice as funeral directors in any other State, district, or foreign country who, as practicing funeral directors, enter this State to consult with a funeral director of this State. Such consultation shall be limited to examination and recommendation;
Any apprentice who is receiving practical training under the personal supervision of a licensed funeral director in Delaware;
Any funeral director commissioned by any of the Armed Forces of the United States, or by the Public Health Service, provided practice as a funeral director is limited to the confines of a military reservation or Public Health Service facility.
§5004. Board of Funeral Service Practitioners
The Board of Funeral Service Practitioners shall consist of five members appointed by the Governor: three professional members who shall be licensed funeral directors; and two public members. To serve on the Board, a public member shall not be nor ever have been a funeral director. nor a member of the immediate family of a funeral director; shall not have been employed by a funeral director; shall not have had a material financial interest in the providing of goods and services to funeral directors; nor have been engaged in an activity directly related to funeral services. Such public member shall be accessible to inquiries, comments and suggestions from the general public.
Each member shall serve for a term of three years, and may succeed himself for one additional term; provided however, that where a member was initially appointed to fill a vacancy, such member may succeed himself for only one additional full term. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the former member. Each term of office shall expire on the date specified in the appointment, and the member shall no longer be eligible to participate in Board proceedings unless lawfully appointed.
A member of the Board shall be suspended or removed by the Governor for misfeasance, non-feasance or malfeasance. A member subject to disciplinary proceedings shall be disqualified from Board business until the charge is adjudicated or the matter is otherwise concluded. A Board member may appeal any suspension or removal to the Superior Court.
No member of the Board of Funeral Service Practitioners, while serving on the Board, shall be a President, Chairman or other official of a professional funeral directors association.
The provisions set forth for "employees" in §5855 of Title 29 shall apply to all members of the Board, and to all agents appointed by or otherwise employed by the Board.
Board members shall be reimbursed for all expenses involved in each meeting, including travel; and in addition shall receive not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) each meeting attended, but not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) in any calendar year. After ten meetings have been attended, the member shall not be compensated for any subsequent meetings attended in that year.
§5005. Officers; Conduct of Business
In the same month of each year the members shall elect, from among their number, a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Each officer shall serve for one year, and shall not succeed himself in the same office.
The Board shall hold a regularly scheduled business meeting at least once in each quarter of a calendar year and at such other times as the President deems necessary, or at the request of a majority of Board members.
A majority of members shall constitute a quorum; and no action shall be taken without the affirmative vote of at least three members. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings, or who fails to attend at least half of all regular business meetings during any calendar year, shall automatically upon such occurrence be deemed to have resigned from office and a replacement shall be appointed.
Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded, and copies of the minutes shall be maintained by the Division of Business and Occupational Regulation. At any hearing where evidence is presented, such hearing shall be recorded and transcribed by the Division."
§5006. Powers and Duties
(a) The Board of Funeral Service Practitioners shall have authority to:
Formulate rules and regulations, with appropriate notice to those affected, where such notice can reasonably be given. Each rule or regulation shall implement or clarify a specific section of this chapter;
Designate the application form to be used by all applicants, and to process all applications;
Designate a written examination, prepared by either the national professional association or by a recognized legitimate national testing service. The examinations shall be taken by persons applying for licensure, except applicants who qualify for licensure by reciprocity.
Provide for the administration of all examinations, including notice and information to applicants;
Grant licenses to all persons who meet the qualifications for llcensure;
Receive complaints from practitioners and from the public concerning practitioners, or concerning practices of the profession; to evaluate such complaints; and to take such action within its powers as the Board deems appropriate;
Determine whether or not a practitioner shall be the subject of a disciplinary hearing, and If so, to conduct such hearing in accordance with this chapter and the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act;
Where it has been determined after a disciplinary hearing, that penalties or sanctions should be imposed, to designate and impose the appropriate sanction or penalty after time for appeal has lapsed;
Bring proceedings in the courts for the enforcement of this chapter; rosters, changes and additions to the rules and regulations, complaints, hearings, and such other matters as the Board shall determine.
(b) The Board may require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses in and production papers, records or other documentary evidence.
§5007. Application Procedure
(a) An applicant who is applying for examination and licensure shall have the following qualifications:
He shall have completed 4 years of high school and at least 2 academic years of instruction in a recognized college or university, one year of academic instruction in a prescribed course at a school of funeral service accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and one year of apprenticeship under a licensed Delaware funeral practitioner.
An applicant is responsible for arranging his/her own apprenticeship. If, after contacting 20 firms, the applicant is unable to obtain an apprenticeship within six months he/she shall so stipulate In an affidavit presented to the Board. The Board shall determine whether the applicant has pursued a position as apprentice to his fullest capability. The Board shall contact the State Association and shall have six months from the date it receives the affidavit to place the applicant In an apprenticeship. If no position has been made available the applicant shall be issued a license upon satisfaction of all other requirements.
He shall not have been convicted of a felony, nor have been professionally penalized or convicted of drug addiction, convicted of unlawfully prescribing narcotic drugs, convicted of willfully violating the confidence of a patient, nor have been professionally penalized or convicted for fraud.
Each applicant shall provide such information as may be required on an application form designed and furnished by the Board. No application form shall require a picture of the applicant; require information relating to citizenship, place of birth, or length of state residency; nor require personal references.
(b) Where a person who feels the Board refused or rejected his application without justification; has imposed higher or different conditions for him that other applicants or persons now licensed; or has in some other manner contributed to or caused the failure of such person's application, the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court.
(c) Where the Board has found to its satisfaction that an application has been intentionally fraudulent, or that false information has been intentionally supplied, it shall report its findings to the Attorney General for further action."
§5008. Examination of Applicants
The Board shall, in the same month each year, administer the latest examination. Where an applicant fails to pass the examination, but has successfully completed and passed certain sections or portions of the examination, the applicant in the next subsequent examination shall be tested only for those portions or sections which he failed. In the event the applicant fails the second time to successfully complete or pass the examination, the Board may require that such applicant again take the complete examination.
§5009. Reciprocity
Where the applicant is already licensed In another state, the Board shall determine the extent of reciprocity granted by such State to Delaware licensees. The Board shall then grant the applicant the same privileges In Delaware. Upon receipt of an application for reciprocity, the Board shall contact each board which has previously licensed the applicant, to determine whether or not there are disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints pending against the applicant. In the event there is a disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending, the applicant shall not be licensed until the proceeding or complaint has been resolved. An application for licensure by reciprocity shall be accompanied by full payment of the reciprocity fee.
§5010. Fees
The amount to be charged for each fee imposed under this chapter shall approximate and reasonably reflect all costs necessary to defray the expenses of the Board, as well as the proportional expenses Incurred by the Division of Business and Occupational Regulation in its services on behalf of the Board. There shall be a separate fee charged for each service or activity, but no fee shall be charged for an activity not specified in this Chapter. The application fee shall not be combined with any other fee or charge. At the beginning of each calendar year the Division of Business and Occupational Regulation, or any other state agency acting in its behalf, shall compute for each separate service or activity, the appropriate fee for the coming year.
§5011. Licensure; Renewal of License
Each person who has passed the written examination, who has been admitted to practice in this State by reciprocity, or who has otherwise qualified for a license shall, prior to receiving such license, file for and obtain an occupational license from the Division of Revenue in accordance with Chapter 23 of Title 30. The Board shall forthwith issue a license to each person who has qualified for same under the provisions of this chapter.
Each license shall be renewed biennially, in such manner as is determined by the Division of Business and Occupational Regulation. The Board shall, in its rules and regulations, determine the period of time within which a practitioner may still renew his license, notwithstanding the fact that such practitioner has failed to renew on or before the renewal date; provided however, that such period shall not exceed one year. The Board shall charge for each month or quarter during such 'late renewal period' a late fee which, at the end of such 'late period', shall be twice the sum of the unpaid renewal fee. At the expiration of the period designated by the Board, the license shall be deemed to be lapsed and not renewable, unless the former licensee re-applies under the same conditions which govern reciprocity; provided however, that the former licensee shall also pay a reinstatement fee in an amount which is three times the amount of the reciprocity fee.
Any licensee may, upon his written request, be placed in an inactive status. The renewal fee of such person shall be pro-rated in accordance with the amount of time such person was inactive. Such person may re-enter practice upon notification to the Board of his intent to do so.
A former licensee who has been penalized for the violation of a provision of this chapter, or whose license has been suspended or revoked, and who subsequently is permitted to apply for reinstatement shall apply for a new license, successfully complete the examination, and shall pay all appropriate fees before he may be licensed.
§5012. Complaints
Any practitioner or member of the public who has a question or a complaint concerning any aspect of the practice of funeral directing may, during the regular business hours of a business day, contact the Board or the Division of Business or Occupational Regulation; or voice such question or complaint at a business meeting of the Board.
The Board shall investigate any complaint, including oral and anonymous complaints; and shall follow through on those informal complaints which, upon investigation, appear to be valid and well-founded. In cases where the complainant is known to the Board, the Board shall, within one week after receipt of the complaint, notify the complainant as to what action (if any) the Board intends to take in the matter. A complete record shall be kept of each complaint, formal or informal, provided however, that the complaints records may be purged after five years.
§5013. Violations; Grounds for Professional Discipline
(a) Practitioners regulated under this Chapter shall be subject to those disciplinary actions set forth in §5014 if, after a hearing, the Board finds:
That the practitioner has employed or knowingly cooperated in fraud or material deception in order to be licensed, or be otherwise authorized to practice as a funeral director;
Illegal, incompetent or negligent conduct in the practice of funeral directing;
Excessive use or abuse of drugs (including alcohol, narcotics or chemicals);
That the practitioner has been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
That the practitioner, as a funeral director or otherwise in the practice of his profession. knowingly engaged in an act of consumer fraud or deception, engaged in the restraint of competition, or participated in price-fixing activities;
That the practitioner has violated a lawful provision of this Chapter, or any lawful regulation established thereunder.
(b) A practitioner shall be subject to non-disciplinary remedial action if, after a hearing, the Board finds that there Is a danger to the public due to:
(1) Physical illness or loss of motor skill, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process; or Temporary emotional disorder or mental illness; or
Permanent emotional disorder or mental illness.
If a practitioner's physical or mental capacity to practice safely is at issue in a non-disciplinary remedical proceeding, the Board may order a practitioner to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination. Failure to comply with a lawful order to submit to a physical or mental examination shall render the practitioner liable to temporary suspension or revocation of license in accordance in accordance with §5014.
Where a practitioner fails to comply with the Board's request that he submit to a examination or attend a hearing, the Board may petition the Superior Court to order such examination or attendance, and the said Court or any judge assigned thereto shall have jurisdiction to issue such order.
Subject to the provisions of Subchapter IV, Chapter 101, Title 29 of the Delaware Code, no license shall be restricted, suspended or revoked by the Board; and no practitioner's right to practice shall be limited by the Board, until such practitioner has been given notice, and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.
§5014. Remedial Actions and Disciplinary Sanctions
The Board may impose any of the following sanctions, singly or in combination, when it finds that one of the conditions or violations set forth in §5013 applies to a practitioner regulated by this Chapter:
Issue a letter of reprimand ;
Censure a practitioner;
Place a practitioner on probationary status, and require the practitioner to:
(i) Report regularly to the Board upon the matters which are the basis on the probation,
(ii) Limit all practice and professional activities to those areas prescribed by the Board, and/or
(iii) Continue or renew his professional education until the required degree of skill has been attained in those areas which are the basis of the probation;
Suspend any practitioner's license; or
Revoke a practitioner's license.
The Board may withdraw or reduce conditions of probation when it finds that the deficiencies which required such action have been remedied.
The Board may temporarily suspend a practitioner's license in advance of a final adjudication, or during the appeals process; but only in cases where there is a clear and immediate danger to the public if the licensee is allowed to continue to practice. Such suspension may be appealed.
Where a license has been suspended due to a disability of the licensee, the Board may reinstate such license if, after a hearing, the Board is satisfied that the licensee is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety to the public.
As a condition to reinstatement of a suspended license, or removal from probationary status, the Board may impose such disciplinary or corrective measures as are authorized under this Chapter."
§5015. Board Hearings; Procedure
(a) Upon the receipt of a complaint, the Board shall determine what action, if any, it shall take. If the Board decides not to take any further action, and the complainant Is known to the Board, the Board shall forward by letter to the complainant its reasons for not taking further action. Where the Board has determined to take further action, the matter shall be heard by the Board within three months from the date on which the complaint was received. The Board shall fix the time and place for a full hearing of the matter, and shall cause a copy of the complaint, together with a notice of the time and place fixed for tho hearing, to be personally delivered or served upon the practitioner at least thirty days before the date fixed for the hearing. In cases where the practitioner cannot be located or where personal service cannot be effected, substitute service shall be effected in the same manner as with civil litigation.
All hearings shall be informal without use of the rules of evidence. If the Board finds, by a majority, vote of all members, that the complaint has merit, the Board shall take such action permitted under this Chapter as it deems necessary. The Board's decision shall be in writing and shall include its reasons for such decision. A copy of the decision shall be mailed immediately to the practitioner. The Board's decision shall become effective on the thirtieth day after the date it is mailed or served on the practitioner, unless there is an appeal by the practitioner to the Superior Court within that time.
Where the practitioner is in disagreement with the action of the Hoard, he may appeal the Board's decision to the Superior Court within thirty days of service, or of the postmarked date of the copy of the decision mailed to him. Upon such appeal the Court shall hear the evidence de novo, and the filing of an appeal shall at as a stay of the Board's decision, pending final determination of the practitioner's appeal.
§5016. Penalties
Where the Board has determined that a person is practicing as a funeral director within this State without having obtained a license therefor to practice as a funeral director, or that a person previously licensed is unlawfully practicing although his license has been suspended or revoked, the Board shall formally warn such person. If the offense continues, the Board shall make a formal complaint to the Attorney General. The complaint shall include all evidence known to, or in the possession of, the Board.
Where the Board has placed a practitioner on probationary status under certain restrictions or conditions, and the Board has determined that such restrictions or conditions are being or have been violated by the practitioner, it may, after a hearing on the matter, suspend or revoke the practitioner's license.
Where a person not currently licensed as a funeral director is convicted of unlawfully practicing as a funeral director in violation of this Chapter such offender shall, upon the first offense, be fined $50, and shall pay all costs: provided however, that where it is alleged that such violation has resulted in injury to any person, the offender shall be charged and tried under the applicable provisions of Title 11.
Where a person previously convicted of unlawfully practicing as a funeral director is convicted a second or subsequent time of such offense, the fine assessed against such person shall be increased by two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) for each subsequent offense thereafter."
Section 3. The licenses of all persons licensed in Delaware as funeral directors on the effective date of this Act shall continue to be valid, and shall not in any way be invalidated or otherwise affected by this Act.
Section 4. Of the initial Board of Funeral Service Practitioners established under this Act, one professional member shall be appointed for a term of three years; one professional member and one public member shall each be appointed for a term of two years; and one professional member and one public member shall be appointed for a term of one year.
Section 5. The provisions of this Act shall become effective thirty days after its enactment into law.
Approved July 20, 1984.