CHAPTER 132
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 303
AN ACT EXEMPTING ALL PERSONS DULY REGISTERED AS AN APPRENTICE PRIOR TO JUNE 23, 1955 FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF GRADUATION FROM A REGULAR RECOGNIZED COLLEGE OF EMBALMING AND PASSING AN EXAMINATION BY THE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE PRACTITIONERS, PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN THE FUNERAL SERVICE PROFESSION.
WHEREAS, prior to June 23, 1955, among other requirements, a prerequisite to the issuance of a certificate for one to engage in the Funeral Service Profession, was graduation from a college of embalming of no less than six (6) months; and
WHEREAS, there are now no known colleges of embalming in the United States that offer a six (6) month course in embalming and who will certify graduation of same; and
WHEREAS, therefore any person duly registered as an apprentice prior to June 23, 1955, who has been active in the profession from then until present, is confronted with an unrealistic college graduation requirement, particularly in light of the probable extensive practical knowledge of the profession that such a person likely has.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. The qualifications of (1) attendance and graduation from a college of embalming, and (2) taking and passing an examination administered by the State Board of Funeral Service Practitioners, required prior to one being eligible to be licensed as a funeral practitioner are hereby abolished as to every person who (1) duly registered with the State Board of Funeral Service Practitioners as an apprentice prior to June 23, 1955, and (2) thereafter has engaged in no less than twenty (20) years of active apprenticeship; and provided that the other requirements for licensure, applicable to any given applicant are met, the State Board of Funeral Service Practitioners is hereby authorized and directed to issue a license to each such person to become a fully bona fide Funeral Service Practitioner in this State.
Approved July 7, 1979.