<section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-101" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="a–1"> <text>“Alkaline hydrolysis” means the process of reducing human remains using water, alkaline chemicals, and heat inside a watertight vessel to accelerate decomposition.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Apprentice” means an individual licensed by the Board who assists a licensed mortician or funeral director in the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction, under direct supervision of a licensed mortician or funeral director.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Apprentice sponsor” means an individual who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is a licensed mortician or funeral director whose license is in good standing with the Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has practiced mortuary science as a licensed mortician or funeral director in Maryland at least 1 year immediately prior to accepting the applicant as an apprentice; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Provides direct supervision to an apprentice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c–1"> <text>“Authorizing agent” has the meaning stated in § 5–508 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Board” means the State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Business of operating a crematory” means controlling or managing a crematory.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Business of operating a crematory” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The practice of funeral direction or the practice of mortuary science; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Assistance in making decisions and filling out forms that are not directly related to cremation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Obtaining vital statistics, signatures, and other information necessary to complete a death certificate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Transportation of a body to the place of disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other services regarding the disposition of a body that are not directly related to cremation.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Corporation” means a mortuary science business whose articles of incorporation are in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, or its successor, the initial business for which the license is issued must have been incorporated on or before June 1, 1945 and have “Incorporated”, “Inc.”, or “Corporation” in its name.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Corporation” does not include, for purposes of issuing a corporation license, a “professional association” (P.A.) or a “professional corporation” (P.C.).</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Courtesy card” means a license issued by the Board to licensed practitioners of mortuary science in other states, to make a removal of a dead human body in this State and to return the body to another state or country, to return dead bodies from another state or country to this State, to fill out the family history portion of the death certificate, and to sign the death certificate in the holder’s capacity as a licensed practitioner of mortuary science.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Cremation” means disposition of a dead human body by means of incineration.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Crematory” means a building, portion of a building, or structure that houses the necessary appliances and facilities for cremation or alkaline hydrolysis.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>“Engage in the operation of a crematory” means controlling or managing a crematory.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Engage in the operation of a crematory” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Providing burial goods as defined in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Selling pre–need goods.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Engage in the operation of a crematory” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The practice of funeral direction or the practice of mortuary science; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Assistance in making decisions and filling out forms that are not directly related to cremation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Obtaining vital statistics, signatures, and other information necessary to complete a death certificate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Transportation of a body to the place of disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other services regarding the disposition of a body that are not directly related to cremation.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>“Engage in the operation of a reduction facility” means controlling or managing a reduction facility.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Engage in the operation of a reduction facility” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Providing burial goods as defined in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Selling pre–need goods.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Engage in the operation of a reduction facility” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The practice of funeral direction or the practice of mortuary science; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Assistance in making decisions and filling out forms that are not directly related to natural organic reduction;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Obtaining vital statistics, signatures, and other information necessary to complete a death certificate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Transportation of a body to the place of disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other services regarding the disposition of a body that are not directly related to natural organic reduction.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Funeral director” means an individual who is licensed by the Board to practice all aspects of mortuary science except for embalming.</text> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Funeral establishment” means any building, structure, or premises from which the business of practicing mortuary science is conducted.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <level label="1"> <text>“Human remains” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The body of a deceased person; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A part of a body or limb that has been removed from a living person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Human remains” includes the body or part of a body or limb in any state of decomposition.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Human remains” does not include soil remains produced after the completion of natural organic reduction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“Hydrolyzed remains” means the bone fragments produced by the completion of alkaline hydrolysis.</text> </level> <level label="p"> <level label="1"> <text>“License” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“License” includes, unless otherwise indicated:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A mortician license;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An apprentice license;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A funeral director license;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A surviving spouse license;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>A corporation license;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>A funeral establishment license; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>A courtesy card.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="q"> <text>“Licensed apprentice” means, unless the context requires otherwise, an apprentice who is licensed by the Board to assist a licensed mortician or funeral director in the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction.</text> </level> <level label="r"> <text>“Licensed funeral director” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a funeral director who is licensed by the Board to practice funeral direction.</text> </level> <level label="s"> <text>“Licensed funeral establishment” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a funeral establishment that is licensed by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="t"> <text>“Licensed mortician” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a mortician who is licensed by the Board under this title to practice mortuary science.</text> </level> <level label="u"> <text>“Licensee” means an individual or entity licensed by the Board to practice mortuary science to the extent determined by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>“Mortician” means an individual who practices mortuary science.</text> </level> <level label="w"> <text>“Natural organic reduction” means the contained accelerated conversion of human remains into soil.</text> </level> <level label="x"> <level label="1"> <text>“Practice funeral direction” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To operate a funeral establishment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For compensation, to prepare a dead human body for disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For compensation, to arrange for or make final disposition of a dead human body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Practice funeral direction” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For compensation, disinfecting or preserving a dead human body or any of its parts by arterial or cavity injection or any other type of preservation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The business of operating a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="y"> <level label="1"> <text>“Practice mortuary science” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To operate a funeral establishment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For compensation, to prepare a dead human body for disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For compensation, to arrange for or make final disposition of a dead human body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Practice mortuary science” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The practice of funeral direction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Disinfecting or preserving a dead human body or any of its parts by arterial or cavity injection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Practice mortuary science” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The pickup, removal, or transportation of a dead human body, if the unlicensed individual is acting under the direction of a licensed mortician or funeral director; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The business of operating a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="z"> <text>“Pre–need contract” means an agreement between a consumer and a licensed funeral director, licensed mortician, or surviving spouse to provide any goods and services purchased prior to the time of death, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A service, including any form of preservation and disposition or cremation, that a mortician normally provides in the ordinary course of business; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Merchandise, including a casket, vault, or clothing, that a mortician normally provides in the ordinary course of business.</text> </level> </level> <level label="aa"> <level label="1"> <text>“Pre–need goods” means burial goods that are sold before the buyer’s death.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Pre–need goods” does not include burial space.</text> </level> </level> <level label="bb"> <text>“Reduction facility” means a building, portion of a building, or structure that houses the necessary appliances, containers, and facilities for performing natural organic reduction.</text> </level> <level label="cc"> <text>“Registered crematory operator” means an individual registered to operate a crematory as a sole proprietor or on behalf of a sole proprietor or permit holder.</text> </level> <level label="dd"> <text>“Registered reduction operator” means an individual registered to operate a reduction facility as a sole proprietor or on behalf of a sole proprietor or a permit holder.</text> </level> <level label="ee"> <text>“Registration” means a registration issued by the Board authorizing an individual to operate a crematory or a reduction facility.</text> </level> <level label="ff"> <text>“Responsible party” means a sole proprietor or the individual designated by a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation to be responsible for the operations of a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> <level label="gg"> <text>“Soil remains” means the soil produced at final disposition of a dead human body at a reduction facility by completion of natural organic reduction.</text> </level> <level label="hh"> <text>“Surviving spouse” means the legal widow or widower of a licensed funeral director or licensed mortician, whose license was in good standing at the time of death, and who at the time of death, wholly or partly owned and operated a mortuary science business.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-102" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>This title does not limit the right of an individual to practice a health occupation that the individual is authorized to practice under this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This title does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The business of operating a cemetery, including the sale of cemetery lots, grave sites, mausoleums, monuments, lawn crypts, or vaults; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The ownership of a crematory or the business of operating a crematory or incinerator at a licensed medical facility or educational institution.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-103" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>The purpose of this title is to protect the health and welfare of the public.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-201" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <text>There is a State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-202" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board consists of 11 members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the 11 Board members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>6 shall be licensed morticians or licensed funeral directors; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>5 shall be consumer members.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>All Board members shall be residents of the State.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Governor shall appoint each member with the advice of the Secretary, and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Board may not have more than one member who is employed by or affiliated with, directly or indirectly, the same corporation, professional association, or other entity, that owns, directly or through a subsidiary corporation, professional association, or other entity, one or more funeral homes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each mortician member shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be a licensed mortician whose license is in good standing with the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Have practiced mortuary science actively for at least 5 years immediately before appointment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In this subsection, “good standing” means that the Board has not reprimanded the licensee, suspended, or revoked the mortician’s license or placed the licensee on probation within 5 years’ time prior to or after confirmation to the Board.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To qualify for appointment to the Board, the licensee must meet all other qualifications required for renewal of a mortician license under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each funeral director member shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be a licensed funeral director whose license is in good standing with the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Have practiced funeral direction actively for at least 5 years immediately before appointment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In this subsection, “good standing” means that the Board has not reprimanded the licensee, suspended, or revoked the funeral director’s license or placed the licensee on probation within 5 years’ time prior to or after confirmation to the Board.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To qualify for appointment to the Board, the licensee must meet all other qualifications required for renewal of a funeral director license under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>For each licensed mortician or licensed funeral director vacancy, the Board shall send by electronic mail or regular mail a notice of the vacancy to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Each mortician and funeral director licensed by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each professional association that represents morticians and funeral directors in the State and requests that the Board send it solicitations for nominations to fill vacancies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notice sent under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The type of member vacancy;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The qualifications for the member vacancy; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A detailed explanation of the process for applying for the member vacancy.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Each consumer member of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Shall be a member of the general public;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May not be or ever have been a mortician, funeral director, or apprentice;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>May not have a household member who is a mortician, funeral director, or apprentice;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>May not participate or ever have participated in a commercial or professional field related to the practice of mortuary science;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>May not have a household member who participates in a commercial or professional field related to the practice of mortuary science; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>May not have had within 2 years before appointment a substantial financial interest in a person regulated by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>While a member of the Board, a consumer member may not have a substantial financial interest in a person regulated by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Before taking office, each member of the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of an appointed member is 4 years, except that the initial term of 1 of the consumer members is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on July 1, 1981.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>To the extent practicable, the Governor shall fill any vacancy on the Board occurring during the term of an appointed member within 60 days of the date of the vacancy.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive full terms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Governor may remove an appointed member:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For incompetence or misconduct;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Who, because of events that occur after the member’s appointment or reappointment to the Board, causes the Board to be in violation of the prohibition set forth in subsection (a)(5) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For repeated and unexplained absences; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For any just and reasonable cause.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-203" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <level label="a"> <text>From among its members, the Board shall elect a president, a first vice president, and a second vice president.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall determine:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The manner of election of officers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The term of office of each officer; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The duties of each officer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-204" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <level label="a"> <text>A majority of the then–serving appointed members of the Board is a quorum to do business.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall meet at least once a year, at the times and places that it sets in its bylaws and rules and regulations.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall hold special meetings that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>It considers necessary; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Secretary directs.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each appointed member of the Board is entitled to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Compensation in accordance with the budget of the Board for each meeting that the member attends; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reimbursement for expenses at a rate determined by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may appoint a Board secretary, who may be a member of the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may employ inspectors and other staff in accordance with the budget of the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An action may be taken by a simple majority vote of the quorum.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-205" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <level label="a"> <text>In addition to the powers and duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board has the following powers and duties:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations to carry out the provisions of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To adopt a seal;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To establish procedures for licensing apprentices;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>To keep a list of all individuals currently licensed by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>To investigate any alleged violation of this title;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>To enforce this title;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>To adopt rules and regulations regarding false and misleading advertising and misrepresentation;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>To inspect licensed funeral establishments;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>On receipt of a written and signed complaint, including a referral from the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, to conduct an unannounced inspection of the funeral establishment to determine compliance at that funeral establishment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>To establish standards for the practice of mortuary science; and</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>To establish standards for sanitation and waste disposal in connection with the practice of mortuary science.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may conduct an audit of a licensee that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Receives pre-need funds;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Places pre-need funds in a trust; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Enters into a pre-need contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Establish a process for regulating crematories and reduction facilities that provides for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Registration of crematory operators and reduction operators or issuance of permits for operating crematories and reduction facilities, and renewal;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Applications, including certification of ownership and identification of individuals who will perform cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Registration or permit fees;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Inspections and oversight;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Grounds for discipline and penalties; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Complaints and hearings;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Implement item (1) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Ensure public health and safety;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Require a registered reduction operator to notify the authorizing agent in writing and before initiating natural organic reduction that a person who uses or disposes of soil remains is subject to § 5–514 of the Health – General Article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Require a reduction facility to monitor and record written verification that the temperature during each instance of a natural organic reduction process attains a specified minimum internal equipment temperature for a specified minimum period of time;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Establish appropriate standards for training and experience for the registration of reduction operators;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Prohibit the use of natural organic reduction in any instance in which the human remains are known, or reasonably suspected, to be embalmed or to have an infection, disease, or biological condition that renders the process of natural organic reduction or the resulting soil remains unreasonably unsafe, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease or other prion disease;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ebola virus infection;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The presence of diagnostic or therapeutic radioisotopes; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other infection, disease, or biological condition identified by the Board based on the reasonable recommendation of a federal, State, or local health authority;</text> </level> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Establish a mandatory contamination testing program for reduction facilities to ensure the safety of soil remains produced, including the following minimum program elements:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Collecting routine material samples from soil remains for analysis using:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>A reliable sampling methodology; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>An appropriate frequency of sampling, as recommended or approved by the U.S. Composting Council or another reliable scientific advisory authority;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Recording and retaining the results of an analysis of samples from the soil remains conducted by an independent third–party laboratory to identify the presence of heavy metals or microbial pathogens according to the appropriate contamination parameters for biosolids specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Title 40 C.F.R. Part 503, Chapter I, Subchapter O;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Conducting an analysis for each production of soil remains to ensure that the soil remains contain less than 0.01 mg/kg dry weight of specific physical contaminants, which may include intact bone, dental fillings, and medical implants;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Ensuring that no soil remains are released until the soil remains comply with each of the applicable contamination testing parameters; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Periodic reporting of testing results to appropriate State and local health authorities that have requested the results; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Establish any other reasonable prohibition, rule, or requirement the Board determines is necessary to protect the public health and safety during the process of natural organic reduction; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Adopt a code of ethics for engaging in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-206" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may set reasonable fees for its services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fees charged shall be set so as to approximate the cost of maintaining the Board.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Funds to cover the compensation and expenses of the Board members shall be generated by fees set under this section.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Board may not assess a crematory a per–occurrence cremation fee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall pay all funds collected under this title to the Comptroller of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Comptroller shall distribute the fees to the State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund shall be used to cover the actual documented direct and indirect costs of fulfilling the statutory and regulatory duties of the Board as provided by the provisions of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund, not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any unspent portions of the Fund may not be transferred or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund to be used for the purposes specified in this article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>No other State money may be used to support the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A designee of the Board shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money in the Fund may be expended only for any lawful purpose authorized under the provisions of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Legislative Auditor shall audit the accounts and transactions of the Fund as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-207" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <text>A person shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5-707 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article for giving information to the Board or otherwise participating in its activities.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-208" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may require an applicant or licensee to submit to a mental or physical examination by a health care practitioner designated by the Board, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>When investigating an allegation brought against an applicant or licensee under this title, the Board finds reasonable evidence indicating that the applicant or licensee cannot practice mortuary science or funeral direction competently;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Makes a written request for the applicant or licensee to submit to the examination;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provides the applicant or licensee with a list of three health care practitioners from which the applicant may choose a health care practitioner to conduct the examination; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Pays the cost of the examination in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The applicant or licensee:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Consents to submit to the examination; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Waives any claim or privilege as to the examination report.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An evaluation report of a health care practitioner designated by the Board is confidential except as to contested case proceedings as defined by the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an applicant who does not hold a valid license with the Board shall pay the reasonable cost of any examination made under this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the applicant is deemed competent to practice mortuary science or funeral direction as a result of the evaluation, the Board shall reimburse the applicant for the reasonable cost of the evaluation that was performed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall pay the reasonable cost of an examination made under this section for a licensee of the Board.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-301" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section or §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice mortuary science in this State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Limit the right of a school of medicine or dentistry to use and dispose of a dead human body or its parts;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Limit the right of any person who is authorized by law to handle or dispose of a dead human body or its parts, if the person acts within the scope of that authorization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Affect the right of an authorized officer or employee of the United States or the District of Columbia to practice mortuary science in the course of that individual’s duties;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Apply to an individual who makes funeral arrangements in the course of the duties of that individual as an attorney; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>Limit the right of the Board to issue temporary permits to out–of–state licensed morticians or funeral directors for teaching purposes involving an approved continuing education program or disaster situations as deemed necessary by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A mortician or funeral director who is issued a temporary permit shall be subject to any conditions and limitations that the Board may specify in the permit and the provisions of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-301.1" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to the registration of crematory operators or issuance of permits for operating crematories under regulations adopted under § 7–205(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to any other requirement for a license, permit, or registration issued under this title, an applicant for a license, permit, or registration shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submit to a criminal history records check in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submit to the Board a criminal history records check conducted by an accredited agency approved by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “Central Repository” means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As part of an application to the Central Repository for a State and national criminal history records check, an applicant shall submit to the Central Repository:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A complete set of legible fingerprints taken in a format approved by the Director of the Central Repository and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The fee authorized under § 10–221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to Maryland criminal history records; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The mandatory processing fee required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In accordance with §§ 10–201 through 10–229 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Central Repository shall forward to the Board and the applicant the criminal history record information of the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Information obtained from the Central Repository under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is confidential;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May not be redisseminated; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>May be used only for the licensing purpose authorized by this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If an applicant has made three or more unsuccessful attempts at securing legible fingerprints, the Board may accept an alternate method of a criminal history records check as allowed by the Director of the Central Repository and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The subject of a criminal history records check under this section may contest the contents of the printed statement issued by the Central Repository as provided in § 10–223 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>If criminal history record information is reported to the Central Repository after the date of the initial criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide to the Board and the individual revised criminal history record information for the individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Information obtained under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Shall be confidential;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May not be redisseminated; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Shall be used only for the licensing, permitting, or registering purposes authorized by this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On receipt of the criminal history record information of an applicant required under this section, in determining whether to grant a license, permit, or registration under this title, the Board shall consider:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The age at which the crime was committed;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The circumstances surrounding the crime;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The length of time that has passed since the crime;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Subsequent work history;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Employment and character references; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Other evidence that demonstrates whether the applicant poses a threat to the public health or safety.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may not issue a license, permit, or registration under this title if the criminal history record information required under this section has not been received.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-302" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice mortuary science in this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A mortician license issued under this title authorizes the licensee to practice mortuary science while the license is effective.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice funeral direction in this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A funeral director license issued under this title authorizes the licensee to practice funeral direction while the license is effective.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-303" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall determine the qualifications necessary for an individual to lawfully engage in the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction and to operate a funeral establishment within this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, to qualify for a mortician or funeral director license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall examine all applications for licensure for the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction and shall issue the mortician or funeral director license to an individual who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is judged to be of good moral character;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has completed not less than 1 year and not more than 4 years of licensed apprenticeship, unless the Board allowed extensions for additional 1–year terms;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, has graduated with an associate of arts degree in mortuary science or its equivalent from a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education or approved by the Board, or has acquired at least an associate of arts degree and completed a course in mortuary science that is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education or approved by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For an individual applying for a license to practice as a mortician, passed the national board examination administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the United States;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For an individual applying for a license to practice as a funeral director, passed the arts and sciences State board examinations, administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the United States;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, has passed a written examination on Maryland law and regulations governing the practice of mortuary science and a practical examination demonstrating competency in the preparation of dead human bodies for final disposition and sanitary science; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Has submitted an application to the Board on the required form and has paid a fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For an individual applying for a license to practice funeral direction, the practical examination qualification under subsection (b)(6) of this section may not include demonstrating competency in embalming.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall advise each applicant that a license issued under subsection (b) of this section does not guarantee that the applicant will be allowed to practice in any other state.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-304" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>An applicant who otherwise qualifies for a mortician or funeral director license is entitled to be examined as provided in this section if the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Holds an apprentice license; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has completed the apprenticeship requirements of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall give examinations to applicants twice each year, at the times and places that the Board determines.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall notify each qualified applicant of the time and place of examination.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The written part of the examination shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The general and local laws of this State on the practice of mortuary science; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The laws and regulations on infectious diseases.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the practical part of the examination:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Board shall provide a dead human body; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, in the presence of at least one third of the licensed members of the Board, each applicant shall demonstrate the applicant’s knowledge and skill in the preparation of dead human remains for final disposition.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For individuals applying for a license to practice funeral direction, a practical examination under paragraph (2) of this subsection may not include demonstrating competency in embalming.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>An applicant shall pay to the Board an examination fee set by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The payment of one examination fee entitles an applicant to take the examination twice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If an applicant fails the examination twice, the applicant may retake the examination if the applicant pays the appropriate fee.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>In addition to the written and practical examinations administered by the Board, an applicant must take and pass the national examination administered by the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the United States.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-305" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the Board may waive the examination and apprenticeship requirements of § 7–303 of this subtitle and issue a mortician or funeral director license to an applicant who is licensed to practice mortuary science or funeral direction in any other state.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may grant a waiver under this subsection only if the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Pays the license fee required by the Board under § 7–303 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Was a licensed mortician or funeral director in good standing in the other state;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Serves an apprenticeship consisting of 1,000 hours; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Passes the Maryland State written examination administered by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may grant a waiver only if the state in which the applicant is licensed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Grants a similar waiver to licensees of this State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has standards for a mortician or funeral director license that are not lower than those of this State.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-306" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual shall obtain an apprentice license from the Board before beginning an apprenticeship in this State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A mortician apprentice shall have an apprentice sponsor who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is a licensed mortician whose license is in good standing with the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is employed by the same funeral establishment that employs the apprentice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A funeral director apprentice shall have an apprentice sponsor who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is a licensed mortician or funeral director whose license is in good standing with the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is employed by the same funeral establishment that employs the apprentice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An apprentice may have more than one apprentice sponsor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An applicant for an apprentice license shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Pay to the Board a fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Submit a letter from the director of the mortuary science program in which the applicant is enrolled that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Includes the seal of the school; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Verifies that the applicant is actively enrolled in the program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When applying for license renewal, a licensed apprentice shall submit to the Board a letter from the director of the mortuary science program in which the licensed apprentice is enrolled that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Includes the seal of the school; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Verifies that the licensed apprentice is actively enrolled in the program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Before an individual appears before the Board for approval of an apprentice license, the individual shall be enrolled in or have graduated from a mortuary science program at a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service or approved by the Board, with a 2.0 grade point average or higher that is verified with a certified copy of the college transcript, if the individual has a grade point average.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A licensed apprentice who was enrolled in a mortuary science program at the time the license was granted shall remain enrolled in the program for the duration of the apprenticeship unless the licensed apprentice graduates.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The applicant and a licensed mortician or licensed funeral director shall appear before the Board to seek the Board’s approval for an apprentice license for the applicant.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On termination of the sponsor–apprentice relationship, both the sponsor and the apprentice shall independently notify the Board in writing of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The date of termination;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The name, date of death, date of service, and evidence of the service for each decedent for whom a funeral service was conducted under subsection (e)(1)(i) of this section in which the apprentice participated; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The name, date of death, date of the preparation for disposition, and a copy of the decedent’s filed death certificate for each decedent for whom the apprentice assisted in accordance with subsection (e)(1)(ii) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Prior approval must be granted by the Board before a change of sponsorship occurs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The practical experience of an apprentice shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Participation in at least 20 funerals;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, assistance in the preparation and embalming of at least 20 dead human bodies for final disposition; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Completion of at least 1,000 working hours in a licensed funeral establishment under the direct supervision of the apprentice sponsor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For an apprentice funeral director, the practical experience under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may not include embalming.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For purposes of paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection, direct supervision may include instruction by a licensed mortician or funeral director employed or supervised by the apprentice sponsor that is observed in person by the apprentice sponsor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>While the license is effective, an apprentice license authorizes the licensee to assist a licensed mortician or funeral director in the practice of mortuary science or funeral direction only as part of a training program to become a licensed mortician or funeral director.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-308" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board shall issue a surviving spouse license to an applicant if the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is the surviving spouse of a licensed mortician or licensed funeral director whose license was in good standing at the time of death and who at the time of death was operating and wholly or partly owned a mortuary science business;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is not a licensed mortician or licensed funeral director;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Submits to the Board, within 30 days of the death of the licensed mortician or funeral director, written verification of the death of the licensee and the application required by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Pays a fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 6 months of the issuance of the surviving spouse license, the applicant must take the written Maryland State law examination administered by the Board under § 7-304(b), (c), (d)(1), (e), and (f) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The license becomes null and void if the surviving spouse fails the Maryland State law examination twice.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An applicant may retake the law examination as often as necessary to fulfill the requirement of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Nothing in this section shall prevent a surviving spouse from selling the mortuary science business that was operated and wholly or partly owned by the licensed funeral director or licensed mortician.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, while a surviving spouse license is effective, it authorizes the licensee to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Continue the operation of the mortuary science business that had been operated and wholly or partly owned by the spouse of the licensee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Assist with the planning and conducting of funeral services for that mortuary science business.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board may issue a license under this section only if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The business is operated under the direct supervision of a licensed mortician or funeral director; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The embalming is done by a licensed mortician.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-308.1" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>A personal representative of a deceased mortician’s, funeral director’s, or surviving spouse’s estate shall be licensed by the Board before continuing operation of the mortuary science business.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall issue an executor license to an applicant if the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is the appointed personal representative of a deceased mortician’s, funeral director’s, or surviving spouse’s estate in accordance with the requirements established in Title 5 of the Estates and Trusts Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submits to the Board, within 30 days of the death of the licensed mortician, funeral director, or surviving spouse:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Written verification of the death of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Written verification of appointment as a personal representative; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The application required by the Board;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Within 14 days after the death of the licensed mortician, funeral director, or surviving spouse, submits to the Board the name of a licensed funeral director or mortician who has agreed to apply for a pre–need trustee license issued under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Pays a fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Nothing in this section shall prevent a personal representative from selling the mortuary science business that was operated and wholly or partly owned by the licensed funeral director or licensed mortician.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, while an executor license is effective, it authorizes the licensee to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Continue operation of the mortuary science business that had been operated and wholly or partly owned by the deceased mortician or funeral director; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Assist with the planning and conducting of funeral services for that mortuary science business.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board may issue a license under this section only if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The business is operated under the direct supervision of a licensed mortician or funeral director; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The embalming services are provided by a licensed mortician.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of § 7–314 of this subtitle, the Board shall provide for the term of an executor license.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The term of an executor license may not be more than 12 months.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An executor license may be renewed for one additional 3–month period if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A buyer of the funeral establishment has been identified and has entered into a sales contract, but the sale of the funeral establishment has not been completed;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A pre–need account audit has not been completed and evidence is presented to the Board that failure to complete the audit is due to circumstances beyond the control of the funeral establishment; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Board determines that a renewal is needed due to unforeseen circumstances.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A personal representative who wishes to continue operation of a mortuary science business upon expiration of the executor license must qualify and be licensed as a mortician or a funeral director, or be the holder of a surviving spouse or corporation license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-308.2" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board shall issue a pre–need trustee license to an applicant if the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Applies to the Board on an application provided by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has been actively licensed in good standing by the Board for a minimum of 5 years while working in a facility that has accepted pre–need contracts and who can provide proof to the Board that these services have been provided by the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has been appointed as a pre–need trustee by the holder of an executor license issued under § 7–308.1 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is of good moral character; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Pays the required fee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>While a pre–need trustee license is effective, the license authorizes the license holder to manage pre–need accounts held by a funeral establishment until the closing or sale of the funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of § 7–314 of this subtitle, a pre–need trustee license is valid from the date of issuance until the date of expiration of the license of the executor who appointed the license holder as a pre–need trustee under subsection (a)(3) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The holder of a pre–need trustee license issued under this section may be the supervising mortician in a funeral establishment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-308.3" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a funeral establishment owned by a funeral director, mortician, or surviving spouse who was the single owner and sole licensee of a funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 7 days after the death of the single owner and sole licensee of a funeral establishment, the supervising mortician shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Place an obituary for the deceased single owner and sole licensee in the death notices section of a newspaper with general circulation in the area of the funeral establishment; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Place a notice to the public of the death of the single owner and sole licensee on any Web site maintained by the funeral establishment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 90 days after the death of a single owner of a funeral establishment, the pre–need trustee licensed under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle shall send a letter to all pre–need contract holders who have funds in trust with or an insurance product assigned to the funeral establishment stating the options available under § 7–405 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The letter required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be returned within 5 days after receipt and shall include the full signature of the pre–need contract holder next to the option chosen from those available under § 7–405 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 90 days after the death of a single owner and sole licensee of a funeral establishment, the pre–need trustee licensed under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle shall identify to the Board and the executor licensed under § 7–308.1 of this subtitle all pre–need bank trust money that has been deposited under the federal identification number of the funeral establishment or the Social Security number of the deceased single owner and sole licensee, instead of the Social Security number of the beneficiary or buyer of the pre–need contract.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The pre–need trustee licensed under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle shall make a claim against the estate of the deceased single owner and sole licensee of the establishment which the licensee previously owned for the money identified under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The executor licensed under § 7–308.1 of this subtitle shall transfer all money identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection to the abandoned property office in the Office of the Comptroller in the proper name of the beneficiary or buyer of the pre–need contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Within 90 days after the death of the single owner of a funeral establishment, the pre–need trustee licensed under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle shall send to the Board a list that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The names of all funded pre–need contract holders;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of the funds entrusted to the funeral establishment through a bank account or insurance product; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The location where the funds currently are maintained.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 90 days after the death of the single owner of a funeral establishment, the pre–need trustee licensed under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle shall send to the Board a list of all unclaimed cremains, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A copy of the filed death certificate for each cremated decedent; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The crematory certificate for each cremains.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall work collaboratively with the State Anatomy Board to ensure proper disposition of the cremains.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The pre–need trustee licensed under § 7–308.2 of this subtitle shall submit to the Board a digital image on removable media or on cloud–based storage that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>All signed pre–need contracts; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any associated paperwork dating from the signing of the pre–need contract.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-309" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, a corporation may not operate a mortuary science business and the Board may not issue a license to or list any corporation as licensed to operate a mortuary science business.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may renew only the license of a corporation that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>On June 1, 1945, held a license issued by this State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has been renewed continuously since that date;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Submits an application on a form required by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Pays a fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each application for renewal made by a corporation shall state the name and address of each officer and director of the corporation.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>While a corporation license is effective, it authorizes a corporation to operate a mortuary science business only if any practice of mortuary science that is conducted for the corporation is practiced by a licensed individual.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A corporation may not operate a branch funeral establishment unless the branch funeral establishment was in operation on or before October 1, 1964.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If a corporation is sold, declares bankruptcy, or ceases to operate, written notice must be submitted to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Board, within 2 weeks of the occurrence, detailing the changes and the arrangements for carrying out the pre-need contracts and disbursement of the money held in escrow; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The holders of pre-need contracts advising them of their options under Maryland law.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-310" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A funeral establishment shall be licensed by the Board before the establishment may be used for the preparation of the remains, viewing, or conducting of services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The licensee may be restricted to operations as determined by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>To apply for a funeral establishment license, an applicant shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Submit an application to the Board on the form that the Board requires; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Pay to the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An application fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fee established under § 7–4A–05(a) of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An application for a funeral establishment license shall be signed by a licensed individual who is not an apprentice but is the owner or co–owner of the establishment to be licensed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall issue a funeral establishment license to a funeral establishment that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has complied with all applicable State and local laws; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Will be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Owned and operated in accordance with this title by an individual who is or a group of individuals in which each individual is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A licensed mortician;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A licensed funeral director; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A holder of a surviving spouse license;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Owned and operated in accordance with this title by a holder of a corporation license; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Operated in accordance with this title by a holder of an executor license.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Signs and advertisements of a funeral establishment shall display the name that appears on the establishment license.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Each licensed funeral establishment shall have a supervising mortician.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A licensed funeral establishment shall designate a licensed mortician whose license is in good standing with the Board to be the supervising mortician for the funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A licensed mortician designated to be the supervising mortician for a funeral establishment shall complete the registration required by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A mortician whose license is not in good standing in the State or any other jurisdiction may not be a supervising mortician.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The supervising mortician for a funeral establishment shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Held responsible for all activities performed on behalf of the funeral establishment with the knowledge or at the direction of the supervising mortician; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (6) of this subsection, limited to supervising:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One funeral establishment with an embalming facility; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>No more than three funeral establishments total that are within close enough proximity to each other to allow for oversight of each funeral establishment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The limits on the number of funeral establishments a supervising mortician may supervise as provided for in paragraph (5)(ii) of this subsection do not apply if a funeral establishment prepares for the disposition of less than 75 bodies in a calendar year.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>If a supervising mortician for a funeral establishment relinquishes the supervising mortician’s responsibility under paragraph (5)(i) of this subsection for any reason, the funeral establishment shall name an interim supervising mortician who shall be held responsible for all activities performed on behalf of the funeral establishment, with the knowledge or at the direction of the interim supervising mortician, until a new supervising mortician for the funeral establishment registers with the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A funeral establishment that uses a central preparation room at another funeral establishment is not required to have its own preparation room or holding room.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-311" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may issue a courtesy card to a practitioner of mortuary science who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is licensed to practice mortuary science in another state;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Maintains a license in good standing with that state;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Files an application with the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Pays to the Board a license fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The courtesy card:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Allows the holder of the courtesy card to make a removal of a dead human body in this State and to return the body to another state or country, to return a dead human body from another state or country to this State for final disposition, to fill out the family history portion of the death certificate, and to sign the death certificate in the holder’s capacity as a licensed practitioner of mortuary science; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Does not allow the holder of the courtesy card to operate a funeral establishment, make funeral arrangements, or conduct funerals in this State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A card issued by the Board under this title is not transferable.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-312" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <text>Any person who obtains a burial-transit permit under § 4-215 of the Health - General Article is exempt from any requirement of this title to be under the direction of a licensed mortician or licensed funeral director.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-313" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall issue the appropriate license to an applicant who meets the requirements of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall include on each license and renewal certificate that the Board issues:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The signature of the secretary of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The seal of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A designation of the kind of license; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If it is a corporation license, the name and address of each director and each officer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A license issued by the Board under this title is not transferable.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-314" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>A license issued under this title expires on the date set by the Board, unless the license is renewed for an additional term as provided in this section. A license may not be renewed for a term longer than 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At least 1 month before a license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee, by electronic means or first–class mail to the last known electronic or physical address of the licensee, a renewal notice that states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date on which the current license expires;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The date by which the renewal application must be received by the Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The amount of the renewal fee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for additional terms, if the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has met the qualifications for licensure and is not under a suspension or revocation order of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided under this title, pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that it requires;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing education requirements the Board may adopt by regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For a funeral establishment license, provides proof of any payment to the Board required in accordance with § 7–4A–05(b) of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall renew the license of and issue a renewal certificate to each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The secretary of the Board may issue a renewal certificate during the interim between meetings of the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Before an apprentice license expires, the licensee may renew it for an additional 1–year term only if the licensee:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the Board requires;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Continues to participate in a training program; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An apprentice license may be renewed only two times.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Before a courtesy card expires, the licensee may renew it for additional terms if the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the Board requires;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submits documentation to the Board that the out–of–state license is in good standing; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>If, when the license of an individual otherwise would expire, the licensee is on active duty as a member of the armed forces but not on a career basis, the license is renewed automatically for a 1–year term without application or payment of a fee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-315" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall reinstate the license of an individual who has failed to renew a mortician license or funeral director license for any reason if the individual:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Requests that the Board reinstate the license;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meets the appropriate renewal requirements of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays to the Board a reinstatement fee set by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Submits to the Board an affidavit stating that the individual did not practice mortuary science in this State while the license was expired; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Applies to the Board for reinstatement of the license within 5 years after the license expires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not reinstate the license of a mortician or funeral director who fails to apply for reinstatement of the license within 5 years after the license expires unless the mortician or funeral director meets the terms and conditions established by the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-316" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–319 of this subtitle and except as to a funeral establishment license, the Board may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke any license if the applicant or licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a license for the applicant or licensee or for another;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively uses a license;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Commits fraud or misrepresentation in the practice of mortuary science;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Aids or abets an unauthorized person in the practice of mortuary science;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Advertises falsely or in a misleading manner;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Solicits mortuary science business, either personally or by an agent, from a dying individual or the relatives of a dead or dying individual, other than through general advertising;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Employs, pays, or offers to pay a “capper”, “steerer”, “solicitor”, or any other person to obtain business, either in general or for a licensee or funeral establishment;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Directly or indirectly pays or offers to pay to obtain mortuary science business;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Solicits or accepts any payment or rebate for recommending any crematory, mausoleum, or cemetery or causing a dead human body to be disposed of there;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Refuses to surrender custody of a dead human body on the demand of a person who is entitled to its custody;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Sells or offers to sell any share, certificate, or interest in a mortuary science business with a promise or offer to perform services to the buyer at a cost less than that offered to the general public;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Fails, after proper demand, to refund promptly any payments received under a pre–need contract with interest;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>At the time funeral arrangements are made, fails to give the contract required by § 7–404 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>Violates any State, municipal, or county law, rule, or regulation on the handling, custody, care, or transportation of dead human bodies or the disposal of instruments, materials, and wastes relevant to preparation of a dead human body for final disposition;</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>Practices mortuary science under a name other than:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name that appears on the license of that person; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The name of a partnership in accordance with § 7–401 of this title;</text> </level> </level> <level label="17"> <text>Signs an application for a funeral establishment license if the signer knew or should have known that grounds existed for which the funeral establishment license later was denied, suspended, or revoked;</text> </level> <level label="18"> <text>Violates any provision of this title or of the laws relating to cremation;</text> </level> <level label="19"> <text>Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority of any other state or country or convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes;</text> </level> <level label="20"> <text>Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of mortuary science;</text> </level> <level label="21"> <text>Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of the report, or induces another to fail to file or record the report;</text> </level> <level label="22"> <text>Submits a false statement to collect a fee;</text> </level> <level label="23"> <text>Provides professional services while:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Under the influence of alcohol; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article, or other drug that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication;</text> </level> </level> <level label="24"> <text>Violates any rule or regulation adopted by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="25"> <text>Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent;</text> </level> <level label="26"> <text>Commits an act of unprofessional conduct in the practice of mortuary science;</text> </level> <level label="27"> <text>Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and qualified to render because the individual is HIV/AIDS positive;</text> </level> <level label="28"> <text>Except in an emergency life–threatening situation where it is not feasible or practicable, fails to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions;</text> </level> <level label="29"> <text>Fails to allow an inspection under § 7–205(a)(8) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="30"> <text>Fails to comply with inspection requirements in the time specified by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="31"> <text>Fails to provide the Board the certification required under § 7–405(i) of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="32"> <text>Fails to comply with § 5–513 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–319 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a license to an applicant for a funeral establishment license, reprimand the holder of a funeral establishment license, place the holder of a funeral establishment license on probation, or suspend or revoke a funeral establishment license if, with the knowledge or at the direction of the funeral establishment:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An unlicensed individual practices mortuary science or funeral direction for or within the funeral establishment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An employee of the funeral establishment fails to comply with § 5–513(b) or (d) of the Health – General Article; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An employee of the funeral establishment fails to comply with § 7–405 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-316.1" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>An action may be maintained in the name of the State or the Board to enjoin:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The unauthorized practice of mortuary science; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Conduct that constitutes a ground for disciplinary action under § 7-315 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An action under this section may be brought by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Attorney General; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A State’s Attorney.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An action under this section shall be brought in the county where the defendant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Resides; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Engages in the practice of mortuary science.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Proof of actual damage or proof that a person will sustain damage if an injunction is not granted is not required for an action under this section.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Criminal prosecution for the unauthorized practice of mortuary science under § 7-501 of this title or disciplinary action under § 7-316 of this subtitle does not prohibit an action to enjoin under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-317" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>If, after the Board brings an action under § 7-316 of this subtitle, the Board finds that there are grounds to place a licensee on probation or suspend or revoke a license, the Board may impose a penalty not exceeding $5,000:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Instead of suspending or revoking the license; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to placing the licensee on probation or suspending or revoking the license.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this section into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-318" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless the Board agrees to accept the surrender of a license while the licensee is under investigation or while charges are pending against the licensee, a licensee may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Surrender the license; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Allow the license to lapse by operation of the law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may set conditions on its agreement with the licensee under investigation or against whom charges are pending to accept surrender of the license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-319" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in the Administrative Procedure Act, before the Board takes any action under § 7-316 of this subtitle, it shall give the person against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The person may be represented at the hearing by counsel.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Over the signature of an officer or the administrator of the Board, the Board may issue subpoenas and administer oaths in connection with any audit or investigation under this title and any hearings or proceedings before it.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If, without lawful excuse, a person disobeys a subpoena from the Board or an order by the Board to take an oath or to testify or answer a question, then, on petition of the Board, a court of competent jurisdiction shall compel compliance with the subpoena and may punish the person as for contempt of court.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If after due notice the individual against whom the action is contemplated fails or refuses to appear, nevertheless the Board may hear and determine the matter.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>If after a hearing an individual is found in violation of § 7-316 of this subtitle, the individual shall pay the hearing costs.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>If the Board orders the suspension of a license in accordance with § 10–226(c)(2) of the State Government Article, the Board shall notify the licensee of the suspension within 48 hours after the Board makes the determination to order the suspension.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-320" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in this section for an action against any health care professional under § 7–316 of this subtitle, any person aggrieved by a final decision of the Board in a contested case, as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act, may petition for judicial review as allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Any health care professional aggrieved by a final decision of the Board under § 7–316 of this subtitle may not appeal to the Secretary but may take a direct judicial appeal as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-321" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall place a licensee on inactive status if the licensee submits to the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An application for inactive status on the form required by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pays the inactive status fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A licensee on inactive status may reactivate the license at any time if the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Complies with the continuing education requirements in effect for the year in which the licensee seeks to reactivate the license;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has not practiced mortuary science in the State while on an inactive status; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays the reactivation fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a license is inactive for more than 5 years, the licensee shall take and pass the Maryland Morticians Law Examination administered by the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-01" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <text>An individual shall register with the Board before the individual may engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility in the State.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-02" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <level label="a"> <text>In order to register, an applicant must:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be at least 18 years old;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Be of good moral character;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Achieve:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Certification as a crematory operator from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Cremation Association of North America (CANA); or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association (ICCFA); or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An equivalent certification recognized by the Board;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Be affiliated with a crematory or reduction facility operated by a registrant or permit holder; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Successfully complete any other training related to the operation of a crematory or reduction facility required by the Board in regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An applicant shall register by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submitting to the Board an application on the form that the Board provides; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paying a nonrefundable application fee and any other applicable fee set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall issue a registration to an applicant who meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A registration issued by the Board under this subsection may not be transferred from one individual to another.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-03" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <level label="a"> <text>While a registration is in effect, the registration authorizes the registrant to engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not limit the right of a person to practice funeral direction or mortuary science if the person is licensed or otherwise authorized under this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-04" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless a registration is renewed as provided in this section, the registration expires on the second anniversary of its effective date.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 90 days before a registration expires, the Board shall mail or electronically transmit to the registrant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A renewal application form; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A notice that states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date on which the current registration expires; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of the renewal fee.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If an electronic transmission under paragraph (1) of this subsection is returned to the Board as undeliverable, the Board shall mail to the registrant, at the last known address of the registrant, the materials required under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 10 business days after the date the Board received the notice that the electronic transmission was undeliverable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before a registration expires, the registrant periodically may renew it for an additional 2–year term, if the registrant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is otherwise entitled to be registered;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meets the qualifications set forth for an original registration;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays the renewal fee set by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the Board provides; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other documentation that the Board requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall renew the registration of each registrant who meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-05" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <text>The Board shall reinstate the registration of an individual who has failed to renew a crematory or reduction facility operator registration for any reason, if the individual:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Requests that the Board reinstate the registration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meets the applicable registration renewal requirements under § 7–3A–04 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays the reinstatement fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Submits to the Board an affidavit stating that the individual, while the individual’s registration was expired, did not engage in the following in the State:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Operate a crematory or reduction facility; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Act as a registered crematory or reduction facility operator.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-06" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <text>Within 1 week after the effective date of the change, the applicant designated as the responsible party or the registered responsible party shall submit to the Board an application form that shows a change in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The crematory or reduction facility with which a registrant is affiliated;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The individual designated as the responsible party;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The employees of the business who engage in the sale of cremation services to the public;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The officers, boards, members, or agents of the permit holder; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The name or address of the registrant or permit holder.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-07" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <text>Each registrant shall display the registration conspicuously at the business address of the registrant.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-08" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–3A–10 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a registration to an applicant, reprimand a person subject to the registration provisions of this title, or suspend or revoke a registration if an applicant, a registrant, or an agent, an employee, an officer, a director, or a partner of the applicant or registrant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a registration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively uses a registration;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Under the laws of the United States or of any state, is convicted of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A felony; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualifications of the applicant or registrant to own or operate a crematory or reduction facility;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Fails to provide or misrepresents any information required to be provided under this title;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Violates this title;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Violates the code of ethics adopted by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Violates a regulation adopted under this title;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Fails to provide reasonable and adequate supervision of the operation of the crematory or reduction facility;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Refuses to allow an inspection required by this title;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Fails to comply with an order of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Is found guilty by a court in the State of violating an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices provision under Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article; or</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Fails to comply with § 5–513 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Instead of or in addition to reprimanding a person, or suspending or revoking a registration, the Board may impose a civil penalty:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this title or an order of the Board under this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not to exceed $1,000 for each day a violation continues past the time set for its correction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under this section, the Board shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The seriousness of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The harm caused by the violation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The good faith efforts of the person; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any history of previous violations by the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Any civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board shall consider the following facts in the granting, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of a registration or the reprimand of a registrant when an applicant or a registrant, or an agent, an employee, an officer, or a partner of an applicant or a registrant, is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor described in subsection (a)(3) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The nature of the crime;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by this title;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The length of time since the conviction; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The behavior and activities of the applicant or registrant, or any agent, employee, officer, board, or partner of an applicant or a registrant, before and after the conviction.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-09" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board or the Board’s designee shall commence proceedings on a complaint regarding a violation of this subtitle made by any person to the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A complaint shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>State specifically the facts on which the complaint is based.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If, after investigation, the Board determines that there is a reasonable basis to believe that there are grounds for disciplinary action under § 7–3A–08 of this subtitle, the Board shall provide the person against whom the action is contemplated notice and an opportunity for a hearing under § 7–3A–10 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If, after investigation, the Board determines that there is not a reasonable basis to believe that there are grounds for disciplinary action, the Board shall dismiss the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall adopt guidelines that establish a schedule for the prompt and timely processing and resolution of each complaint made to the Board regarding a violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before December 31 each year, beginning in 2028, the Board shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of complaints resolved within the schedule adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The number of complaints by the type of registrant or exemption from the registration requirements of this title;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The number of complaints by persons subject to, but not in compliance with, the registration requirements of this title;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The nature of complaints, including whether complaints are related to the illegal recycling of graves;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The type of purchase, focus of dissatisfaction, and type of resolution for complaints;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The method used to resolve the complaints reported under item (i) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Any disciplinary or enforcement actions taken against a registrant or a person subject to, but not in compliance with, the registration requirements of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3A-10" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3A"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in § 10–226 of the State Government Article, before the Board takes a final action under this subtitle, the Board shall provide the person against whom the action is contemplated notice of the Board’s proposed action and the opportunity to request a hearing before the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person shall file a request for a hearing not later than 30 days after the date the notice provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection is mailed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall provide notice and conduct the hearing in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may administer oaths in connection with a proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The hearing notice provided to the person under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be sent by certified mail to the last known address of the person at least 10 days before the hearing.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a hearing is not requested within the time period specified under subsection (a)(2) of this section or if the person fails to appear for the hearing after requesting a hearing, the proposed action of the Board shall be affirmed.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The person may be represented at the hearing by counsel.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may issue subpoenas in connection with a proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this subsection, on petition of the Board, a circuit court may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>If, after a hearing, the proposed action by the Board is upheld, the appellant shall pay the hearing costs, as specified by the Board in regulation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-01" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this section, a registered crematory operator or registered reduction operator may engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility as a sole proprietor or through:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A corporation as an officer, a board, an employee, or an agent of the corporation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A limited liability company as a member, an employee, or an agent of the limited liability company; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A partnership as a partner, an employee, or an agent of the partnership.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this title, a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership may engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility through a registered crematory operator or registered reduction operator.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A registered crematory operator who engages in the operation of a crematory through a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership under this title is subject to all of the provisions of this title that relate to engaging in the operation of a crematory.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A registered reduction operator who engages in the operation of a reduction facility through a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership under this title is subject to all of the provisions of this title that relate to engaging in the operation of a reduction facility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A corporation, limited liability company, or partnership that engages in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility under this title is not, by its compliance with this title, relieved of any responsibility that the corporation, limited liability company, or partnership may have for an act or an omission by its officer, board, member, partner, employee, or agent.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual who engages in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility through a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership is not, by reason of the individual’s employment or other relationship with the corporation, limited liability company, or partnership, relieved of any individual responsibility that the individual may have regarding that practice.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-02" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <text>A corporation, limited liability company, or partnership shall obtain a permit issued by the Board before the corporation, limited liability company, or partnership may engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility in the State.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-03" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <level label="a"> <text>To qualify for a permit, a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Designate a separate registered crematory operator or registered reduction operator as the responsible party for the operations of each affiliated crematory or reduction facility;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide the name and business address of each affiliated crematory or reduction facility;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Provide a list of the officers, boards, members, partners, agents, and employees of the entity applying for the permit; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Provide a certificate of status issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Indicates the entity is in good standing, or its equivalent as determined by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is dated not more than 30 days before the date on which the application was submitted.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An applicant for a permit shall submit to the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An application on the form that the Board provides; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An application fee as set by the Board.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-04" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless a permit is renewed as provided in this section, the permit expires on the second anniversary of its effective date.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 90 days before a permit expires, the Board shall mail or electronically transmit to the permit holder:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A renewal application form; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A notice that states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date on which the current permit expires; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of the renewal fee.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If an electronic transmission under paragraph (1) of this subsection is returned to the Board as undeliverable, the Board shall mail to the permit holder, at the last known address of the permit holder, the materials required under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 10 business days after the date the Board received the notice that the electronic transmission was undeliverable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before a permit expires, the permit holder periodically may renew it for an additional 2–year term, if the permit holder:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is otherwise entitled to receive a permit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meets the qualifications set forth for an original permit;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays the renewal fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Submits to the Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A renewal application on the form that the Board provides; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any other documentation the Board requires.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall renew the permit of each permit holder who meets the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-05" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <text>The Board shall reinstate the permit of a crematory or reduction facility that has failed to renew its permit for any reason, if the permit holder:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Requests that the Board reinstate the permit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Meets the applicable permit renewal requirements under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pays the reinstatement fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Submits to the Board an affidavit stating that the permit holder did not engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility in the State while its permit was expired.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-06" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <text>Each permit holder shall display the permit conspicuously at the business address of the permit holder.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-07" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–3B–09 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a permit to an applicant, reprimand a person subject to the permit provisions of this title, or suspend or revoke a permit if an applicant, a permit holder, or an agent, an employee, an officer, a director, or a partner of the applicant or permit holder:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a permit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively uses a permit;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Under the laws of the United States or of any state, is convicted of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A felony; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualifications of the applicant or permit holder to own or operate a crematory or reduction facility;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Fails to provide or misrepresents any information required to be provided under this title;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Violates this title;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Violates the code of ethics adopted by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Violates a regulation adopted under this title;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Fails to provide reasonable and adequate supervision of the operation of the crematory or reduction facility;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Refuses to allow an inspection required by this title;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Fails to comply with an order of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Is found guilty by a court in this State of violating an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices provision under Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article; or</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Fails to comply with § 5–513 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a person is charged with a violation of this title that could result in suspension or revocation of a permit, the Board may seek an immediate restraining order in a circuit court in this State to prohibit the person from engaging in the operation of any crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The restraining order is in effect until:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The court lifts the order; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The charges are adjudicated or dismissed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Instead of or in addition to reprimanding a person, or suspending or revoking a permit, the Board may impose a civil penalty:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this title or an order of the Board under this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not to exceed $1,000 for each day a violation continues past the time set for its correction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under this section, the Board shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The seriousness of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The harm caused by the violation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The good faith efforts of the person; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any history of previous violations by the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Any civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board shall consider the following facts in the granting, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of a permit or the reprimand of a permit holder when an applicant or a permit holder, or an agent, an employee, an officer, or a partner of an applicant or a permit holder, is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor described in subsection (a)(3) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The nature of the crime;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by this title;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The length of time since the conviction; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The behavior and activities of the applicant or permit holder, or any agent, employee, officer, or partner of an applicant or a permit holder, before and after the conviction.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-08" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board or the Board’s designee shall commence proceedings on a complaint regarding a violation of this subtitle made by any person to the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A complaint shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>State specifically the facts on which the complaint is based.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If, after investigation, the Board determines that there is a reasonable basis to believe that there are grounds for disciplinary action under § 7–3B–07 of this subtitle, the Board shall provide the person against whom the action is contemplated notice and an opportunity for a hearing under § 7–3B–09 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If, after investigation, the Board determines that there is not a reasonable basis to believe that there are grounds for disciplinary action, the Board shall dismiss the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall adopt guidelines that establish a schedule for the prompt and timely processing and resolution of each complaint made to the Board regarding a violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before December 31 each year, beginning in 2028, the Board shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of complaints resolved within the schedule adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The number of complaints by the type of permit holder, or exemption from the permit requirements of this title;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The number of complaints by persons subject to, but not in compliance with, the permit requirements of this title;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The nature of complaints, including whether complaints are related to the illegal recycling of graves;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The type of purchase, focus of dissatisfaction, and type of resolution for complaints;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The method used to resolve the complaints reported under item (i) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Any disciplinary or enforcement actions taken against a permit holder, or a person subject to, but not in compliance with, the permit requirements of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-3B-09" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="3B"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in § 10–226 of the State Government Article, before the Board takes a final action under this subtitle, the Board shall provide the person against whom the action is contemplated notice of the Board’s proposed action and the opportunity to request a hearing before the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person shall file a request for a hearing not later than 30 days after the date the notice provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection is mailed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall provide notice and conduct the hearing in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may administer oaths in connection with a proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The hearing notice provided to the person under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be sent by certified mail to the last known address of the person at least 10 days before the hearing.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a hearing is not requested within the time period specified under subsection (a)(2) of this section or if the person fails to appear for the hearing after requesting a hearing, the proposed action of the Board shall be affirmed.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The person may be represented at the hearing by counsel.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may issue subpoenas in connection with a proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this subsection, on petition of the Board, a circuit court may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>If, after a hearing, the proposed action by the Board is upheld, the appellant shall pay the hearing costs, as specified by the Board in regulation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-401" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>Two or more licensed morticians or funeral directors may practice mortuary science as a partnership.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A partnership shall be conducted under the names of all the partners.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before practicing as a partnership, the licensees shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Notify the Board that they will be practicing as a partnership; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submit to the Board the name and address of each partner.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-402" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>One or more licensed morticians or funeral directors may practice mortuary science as a professional association.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A professional association shall be conducted under the name authorized by the Department of Assessments and Taxation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before practicing as a professional association, the licensee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Notify the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submit to the Board the name and address of each member of the professional association.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-403" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may establish a school to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Teach mortuary science; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Gather and give out information on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Sanitation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Preservation of dead human bodies; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Disinfection of dead human bodies, living areas, clothing, and bedding when death results from infectious disease.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may adopt rules and regulations for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The conduct of the school;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Payment of tuition fees;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Admission of students; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Issuance of diplomas.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The cost of operating the school shall be derived from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Tuition fees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>License examination fees;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>License fees; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Renewal fees.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-404" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>At the time a licensee makes funeral arrangements, the licensee shall give to the individual who requested the funeral arrangements a contract that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An itemized list of all services and merchandise that will be provided and the total price;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>To the extent possible, a specification of any item for which the licensee will advance money to accommodate the buyer; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The terms and method of payment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The contract shall be in duplicate and contain the signatures of the licensee, other than an apprentice, and the payor of the requested service.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A copy of the signed contract shall be given to the payor at the time the arrangements are finalized.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to the contract required under subsection (a) of this section, the licensee shall give to the individual who requested a funeral a similar written statement that reflects any change in the arrangements agreed to between the parties.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-405" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Beneficiary” means a person for whose benefit a pre–need contract is purchased and who will receive the merchandise or services offered under the contract.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Buyer” means a person that purchases a pre–need contract.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Guaranteed contract” means a written pre–need contract that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is signed by the consumer and a licensee of a licensed funeral establishment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Guarantees in whole the price of goods and services and cash advance items specified in the contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Guaranteed in part contract” means a written pre–need contract that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is signed by the consumer and a licensee of a licensed funeral establishment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Guarantees in part the price of goods and services and cash advance items specified in the contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Nonguaranteed contract” means a written pre–need contract:</text> <level label="i"> <text>That is signed by the consumer and a licensee of a licensed funeral establishment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That does not guarantee the price of any specific goods and services or cash advance items; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For which any funds or benefits paid under the contract are only a deposit or partial payment to be applied toward the final cost, determined at the time of death, of the goods, services, or cash advance items.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Seller” means a person who agrees to provide services or merchandise, directly or indirectly, under a pre–need contract.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Trustee” means a person that has responsibility for making pre–need arrangements in a manner that entitles the beneficiary to be eligible for benefits that restrict assets.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Only a licensed mortician, a licensed funeral director, or a holder of a surviving spouse license may offer or agree, directly or indirectly, to provide services or merchandise under a pre–need contract.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, a licensed mortician or a licensed funeral director who is employed by a funeral establishment may execute pre–need contracts on behalf of the funeral establishment with which the mortician or funeral director is employed.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any funeral establishment on whose behalf pre–need contracts are executed under this subsection must comply with the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A pre–need contract shall contain:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name of each party to the contract and, if the beneficiary is an individual other than the buyer, the name of the beneficiary of the contract;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A description of any service or merchandise to be provided under the pre–need contract;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A disclosure statement that clearly:</text> <level label="1"> <text>States that all funeral costs may not be covered under the pre–need contract;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>States that “not all charges that may be required to be paid at the time of need are listed in this contract”;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Informs a buyer of whether the contract is a guaranteed contract, a guaranteed in part contract, or a nonguaranteed contract; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the contract is a guaranteed in part contract:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Lists the funeral goods and services or cash advance items included in the guarantee; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Identifies in at least 14 point bold face type above each section of the contract whether the section is fully guaranteed or not guaranteed;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A line totaling:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The guaranteed amount paid; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount for nonguaranteed items that are considered to be only a down payment toward future total cost; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The method of payment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If disclosure is made in accordance with paragraph (1)(iii)3 and 4 of this subsection, a pre–need contract may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be a guaranteed contract, a guaranteed in part contract, or a nonguaranteed contract; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Include cash advance items or goods and services that are not guaranteed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A pre–need contract shall be executed in duplicate and be signed by each party.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The seller shall give one of the duplicate originals of the pre–need contract to the buyer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 10 days after receiving a payment under a pre–need contract, the seller shall deposit into an interest bearing, escrow or trust account:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For services, 100% of the payment under the pre–need contract; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For goods:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An amount from the payment that is equal to 80% of the selling price of a casket or casket vault under the pre–need contract; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>100% of the payment that is for all other goods under the pre–need contract.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The interest bearing, escrow or trust account shall be with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A banking institution that is insured by an agency of the federal government; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A savings and loan association that is insured by an agency of the federal government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>A pre–need escrow or trust account may not be deemed an asset of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The individual licensee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The licensed funeral establishment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A pre–need escrow or trust account with a banking institution or savings and loan association described in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Established using the name, address, and Social Security number of the buyer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Held in trust for the licensed funeral establishment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>A buyer for whom a monetary pre–need escrow or trust account is established under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall receive a statement regarding the escrow or trust account at least annually.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The requirement under subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph may be satisfied by a statement that is:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Issued by the banking institution or savings and loan association at which the escrow or trust account is established; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Sent to the buyer.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Any interest or dividends earned by the escrow or trust account prior to service being rendered belong to the buyers of the pre–need contracts.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Upon performance of the contract, any interest or dividends earned by the escrow or trust account belong to the seller.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as may be provided in an irrevocable trust established under paragraph (4) of this subsection and in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the banking institution or savings and loan association with which funds are deposited under this section is not responsible for the application of pre–need contract escrow or trust funds.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, the banking institution or savings and loan association with which funds are deposited under this section may not release the funds to the seller unless the seller provides to the banking institution or savings and loan association:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A copy of the death certificate of the beneficiary; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notarized statement and withdrawal request from the buyer or the buyer’s legal representative.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a seller may not withdraw from the account any money received from a buyer unless the services and merchandise have been provided as agreed in the contract.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a seller may not withdraw from the account any money received from a buyer unless the seller provides to the banking institution or savings and loan association with which funds are deposited a copy of the beneficiary’s death certificate.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A violation of subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph is an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A pre–need contract is ended and a seller shall refund to a buyer all payments and interest held for the buyer if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The buyer or the legal representative of the buyer demands in writing a refund of all payments made;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The business of the seller is discontinued or sold;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The seller is unable to perform under the terms and conditions of the pre–need contract; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The buyer fails to pay the entire contract price before the death of the beneficiary, and the seller considers the pre–need contract void.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection, the buyer of a pre–need contract has the option, at any time, to establish, under paragraph (5) of this subsection, an irrevocable trust with respect to all or any portion of the payment made under the contract in the escrow or trust account held by the seller, but only for the purpose of entitling the buyer to be eligible for any current Social Security benefits or for any benefits under any other plan that restricts eligibility to those with limited assets.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The trust document establishing a trust under this paragraph shall contain the following notice, conspicuously displayed in 10–point boldface type:</text> <text>“This document creates an irrevocable trust. Under the terms of this document, a buyer may not receive a refund of any payments made for the pre–need burial contract”.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The trust document establishing a trust under paragraph (4) of this subsection shall provide for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The disposition of the income earned by the trust which shall inure to the benefit of the buyer;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The transfer of the trust funds if required by a trustee substituted under paragraph (6) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The disposition of the trust funds if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The business of the seller is discontinued or sold;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The seller is unable to perform under the terms and conditions of the pre–need contract; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The buyer fails to pay the entire contract price before the death of the beneficiary and the seller considers the pre–need contract void.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If the buyer exercises the option described in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the buyer, a relative of the buyer, or legal representative of the buyer shall retain the right to appoint, as trustee of the irrevocable trust, a trustee other than the one originally designated in the contract.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>If a contract is voided under paragraph (3) of this subsection and the option to establish an irrevocable trust has been exercised under paragraph (4) of this subsection, the buyer, a relative of the buyer, or a legal representative of the buyer shall retain the right to appoint, as trustee of the irrevocable trust, a trustee other than the one originally designated in the contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A pre–need contract is not subject to the Retail Installment Sales Act.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The making of a pre–need contract by a licensed mortician, a licensed funeral director, or a holder of a surviving spouse license is not the practice of insurance business.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>A pre–need contract that is a guaranteed contract, a guaranteed in part contract, or a nonguaranteed contract may be funded by a life insurance policy or an annuity contract if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The mortician, funeral director, licensed funeral establishment, or surviving spouse is not the owner of or beneficiary under the life insurance policy or annuity contract;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An irrevocable assignment of benefits to the licensed funeral establishment:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>May be transferred at any time by the owner of the life insurance policy or annuity contract to any other licensed funeral establishment; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>May not be transferred to the consumer; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any benefits payable under the life insurance policy or annuity contract in excess of the amount necessary to pay the total price, as determined at the time of death of the insured, of the services and merchandise agreed on in the pre–need contract are paid to the beneficiary under the life insurance policy or annuity contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A pre–need contract that is funded by a life insurance policy or an annuity contract shall terminate if the assignment of benefits to the mortician, funeral director, or surviving spouse is revoked by the owner of the life insurance policy or annuity contract.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>The offer, sale, or assignment of a life insurance policy or annuity contract to fund a pre–need contract is not subject to this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A pre–need contract funded by a life insurance policy or an annuity contract is not subject to subsection (d) or (e) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A seller of a pre–need contract shall provide the buyer with a general price list for the buyer to keep of the goods and services offered by the seller.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>A seller of a pre–need contract shall disclose to the consumer the buyer’s cancellation and refund rights under subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-406" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>A licensee shall maintain a complete file for each cremation and each alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction that is initiated that includes the signature of the next of kin, person identifying the body, or person responsible for disposition, time of death, and the date and time of cremation or the time that the alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction was initiated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Eligible dependent” means a veteran’s spouse, a veteran’s unmarried child under the age of 21 years, or a veteran’s unmarried adult child who before the age of 21 became permanently incapable of self–support because of physical or mental disability.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>“Identifying information” means data required by a veterans service organization to verify the eligibility of a veteran or an eligible dependent for burial in a national or state veterans cemetery.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Identifying information” includes name, service number, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death, place of birth, and copy of the death certificate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>“Interment” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>“Veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>“Veterans service organization” means an association or other entity organized for the benefit of veterans that has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or chartered by Congress and any employee or representative of the association or entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If a licensed funeral establishment or a crematory is in possession of cremated human remains or hydrolyzed remains that have been unclaimed for 90 days or more, the licensed funeral establishment or holder of the permit for the business of operating a crematory shall provide identifying information of the unclaimed cremains or hydrolyzed remains to a veterans service organization in order for the veterans service organization to determine if the unclaimed cremains or hydrolyzed remains are those of a veteran or an eligible dependent.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph does not apply if:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>An authorizing agent directs otherwise; or</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>A reduction facility reasonably concludes based on the identifying information or other evidence that a decedent does not qualify for disposition benefits associated with veteran status.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A reduction facility in possession of human remains that are being processed by natural organic reduction shall provide identifying information to a veterans service organization within 5 business days after natural organic reduction is initiated to determine if the soil remains are those of a veteran or an eligible dependent.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Within 45 days after receipt of the information required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the veterans service organization shall notify the licensed funeral establishment, permit holder, or reduction facility:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Whether the cremains, hydrolyzed remains, or soil remains are those of a veteran or an eligible dependent; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If so, whether the veteran or eligible dependent is eligible for interment in a veterans cemetery.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the unclaimed cremains or hydrolyzed remains are those of a veteran or an eligible dependent, the licensed funeral establishment or permit holder may transfer the cremains or hydrolyzed remains to a veterans service organization for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the cremains or hydrolyzed remains.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the unclaimed soil remains are those of a veteran or eligible dependent, the reduction facility may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Transfer a portion of the soil remains not exceeding 300 cubic inches in volume to a veterans service organization that grants permission for the purpose of disposition; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If authorized, transfer the balance of the soil remains to a cemetery or the owner of a woodland protected under the Forest Conservation Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If a veterans service organization does not take possession of unclaimed cremains or hydrolyzed remains that qualify for an interment location in a State veterans’ cemetery under § 9–906 of the State Government Article within 10 days after the licensed funeral establishment or permit holder receives the notification required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the licensed funeral establishment or permit holder shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Notify the Department of Veterans and Military Families of the status of the cremains or hydrolyzed remains for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the cremains or hydrolyzed remains; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Transfer the cremains or hydrolyzed remains to the Department of Veterans and Military Families for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the cremains or hydrolyzed remains.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>If a veterans service organization does not take possession of a portion of unclaimed soil remains under paragraph (5)(i) of this subsection that qualifies for an interment location in a State veterans’ cemetery under § 9–906 of the State Government Article within 10 days after the reduction facility receives the notification required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the reduction facility shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Notify the Department of Veterans and Military Families of the status of the soil remains for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the portion of soil remains;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Transfer the portion of soil remains to the Department of Veterans and Military Families for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the portion of the soil remains; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If authorized by the cemetery or owner, transfer the balance of the soil remains to a cemetery or the owner of a woodland protected under the Forest Conservation Act.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-407" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>A licensed funeral director shall provide to the surviving spouse or immediate family members of the deceased or authorized representative a notice which advises that certain individuals may be entitled to continuation of group health insurance benefits under § 15-407 of the Insurance Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The notices required to be provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be supplied to the licensed funeral director by the Insurance Commissioner.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A licensed funeral director who fails to provide notice under subsection (a) of this section shall not be liable to any person for benefits which would have otherwise been payable under § 15-407 of the Insurance Article or other damages resulting from the failure to provide notice.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-408" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee” means a committee that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is defined in subsection (b) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Performs any of the functions listed in subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For purposes of this section, a mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee is a committee of the Board or a committee of any association representing morticians and funeral directors that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is recognized by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Includes but is not limited to morticians and funeral directors.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A rehabilitation committee of the Board or recognized by the Board may function:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Solely for the Board; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Jointly with a rehabilitation committee representing another board or boards.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For purposes of this section, a mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee evaluates and provides assistance to any mortician or funeral director, and any other individual regulated by the Board, in need of treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholism, drug abuse, chemical dependency, or other physical, emotional, or mental condition.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the proceedings, records, and files of the mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee are not discoverable and are not admissible in evidence in any civil action arising out of matters that are being or have been reviewed and evaluated by the mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to any record or document that is considered by the mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee and that otherwise would be subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil action.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For purposes of this subsection, civil action does not include a proceeding before the Board or judicial review of a proceeding before the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A person who acts in good faith and within the scope of jurisdiction of a mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee is not civilly liable for any action as a member of the mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee or for giving information to, participating in, or contributing to the function of the mortician and funeral director rehabilitation committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-409" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, all inspections of funeral establishments shall be unannounced and may take place at any time without notice from the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An unannounced inspection may include advance notice that an inspector may be in the region of the funeral establishment for the purpose of conducting an inspection if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The advance notice is no more than 14 days prior to the inspection;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>No specific date or time is provided for the inspection; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The advance notice is provided solely to ensure that a licensed mortician or funeral director will be on–site for the inspection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to inspections conducted:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In response to valid information provided to the Board resulting in a complaint being opened by the Board concerning the preparation or body storage areas of a licensed funeral establishment only if the Board has provided a copy of the complaint to the licensed funeral establishment; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Of a funeral establishment that the Board has placed on probationary status in accordance with § 7–316(b) of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A trained staff member of the Board who is qualified to do inspections may call the supervising mortician of a licensed funeral establishment, as designated under § 7–310(e) of this title, and request immediate access to the preparation and body storage areas of the funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a request is made under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the supervising mortician immediately shall provide the staff member of the Board with the location of the key or access code to the preparation or body storage areas of the funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An employee of a licensed funeral establishment is not required to accompany a staff member of the Board while the staff member conducts an inspection of a preparation or body storage area in accordance with this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An unannounced inspection of a licensed funeral establishment shall be conducted during the hours that the business of mortuary science is being conducted at the licensed funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Within 24 hours after the completion of an unannounced inspection of a licensed funeral establishment, the Board shall provide the results of the inspection to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The holder of the funeral establishment license; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The supervising mortician for the licensed funeral establishment, as designated under § 7–310(e) of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board shall employ at least two inspectors to perform inspections under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-409.1" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <text>On receipt of a written complaint, or at the discretion of the Board, the Board or the Board’s designee may conduct an investigation and an inspection of the records and site of a registered crematory operator or registered reduction operator or any other person subject to the registration or permit provisions of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-410" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Any individual who is 18 years of age or older may decide the disposition of the individual’s own body after the individual’s death without the pre–death or post–death consent of another person by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Executing a document that expresses the individual’s wishes, including a document designating a person to act as authorizing agent; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Entering into a pre–need contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The person designated on a United States Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data (DD Form 93), or its successor form, as the person authorized to direct disposition may serve as the authorizing agent for a decedent, if the decedent:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Died while serving in the uniformed services; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Executed the United States Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data (DD Form 93), or its successor form.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An authorizing agent is bound by any valid document executed under this subsection in making decisions regarding the final disposition of the decedent’s body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In order to be valid, any document executed under subsection (a) of this section must be written and signed by the individual in the presence of a witness, who, in turn, shall sign the document in the presence of the individual.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The following persons, in the order of priority stated, have the right to serve as the authorizing agent for a decedent:</text> <level label="1"> <text>If the decedent executed a valid document under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The person designated on the United States Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data (DD Form 93), or its successor form, as the person authorized to direct disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The person designated by a decedent in the valid document executed under subsection (a)(1) of this section; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless a person has knowledge that contrary directions have been given by the decedent, if a decedent has not executed a document under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The surviving spouse or domestic partner, as defined in § 1–101 of the Health – General Article, of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An adult child of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A parent of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>An adult brother or sister of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>An adult grandchild of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>A person acting as a representative of the decedent under a signed authorization of the decedent that does not meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The guardian of the person of the decedent at the time of the decedent’s death, if a guardian has been appointed; or</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>In the absence of any person under items (i) through (vii) of this item, any other person willing to assume the responsibility to act as the authorizing agent, including the personal representative of the decedent’s estate, after attesting in writing that a good faith effort has been made to no avail to contact the persons described in items (i) through (vii) of this item.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a decedent has more than one survivor under subsection (c)(2)(i) through (v) of this section, any adult child, parent, adult brother or sister, or adult grandchild of the decedent who confirms in writing to a licensee that all of the other members of the same class have been notified may serve as the authorizing agent unless the licensee receives a written objection from another member of that class within 24 hours.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a decedent has more than one survivor under subsection (c)(2)(i) through (v) of this section, the majority of a class may serve as the authorizing agent.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For an individual whose final disposition is the responsibility of the State or any of its instrumentalities, a public administrator, medical examiner, coroner, State–appointed guardian, or any other public official charged with arranging the final disposition of the body of the individual may serve as the authorizing agent.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>For an individual who has donated the individual’s body to medical science or whose death occurred in a nursing home or other private institution, a representative of the institution to which the body was donated or in which the decedent died may serve as the authorizing agent of the decedent and the institution is charged with making arrangements for the final disposition of the body.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection may not be construed to require a licensed mortician, licensed funeral director, or licensed funeral establishment to make any notification regarding the right of final disposition of the body of a decedent.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person shall forfeit the right of final disposition of the body of a decedent under subsection (c) of this section and the right shall pass to the next qualifying person, if the person:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Does not exercise the right of disposition within 7 days after notification by a funeral establishment of the death of the decedent, or within 10 days after the decedent’s death, whichever is earlier;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, is charged with first– or second–degree murder or voluntary manslaughter in connection with the decedent’s death and the charges are known to the funeral director; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Is the subject of an active interim, temporary, or final protective order and the decedent was a person eligible for relief, as defined under § 4–501 of the Family Law Article, under the order and a copy of the order is presented to the funeral director.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person whose right of disposition was forfeited under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection shall have the right restored, if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The criminal charges are dismissed; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The person is acquitted of the criminal charges.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person may waive the right of final disposition of the body of a decedent under subsection (c) of this section and the right shall pass to the next qualifying person, if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The person waives the right of disposition in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The writing is submitted to the practitioner or funeral establishment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A licensed mortician, licensed funeral director, or licensed funeral establishment may not be held civilly liable for acting in reliance on this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-411" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>Before burial or interment, a mortician shall affix to the long bones of the deceased human body a plastic or metal identification tag.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After cremation, a licensee shall ensure that a metal or plastic identification tag is placed in the cremains container.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The identification tag shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The name of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Social Security number of the decedent;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The decedent’s date of birth; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The decedent’s date of death.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-412" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A civil action brought by a party to the proceedings of the Board who claims to be aggrieved by the decision of the Board; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any record or document that is considered by the Board and that otherwise would be subject to discovery and introduction into evidence in a civil trial.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the proceedings, records, and files of the Board are not discoverable and are not admissible in evidence in any civil action.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The proceedings, records, and files of the Board are confidential and are not discoverable and are not admissible in evidence in any civil action arising out of matters that are being reviewed and evaluated by the Board if requested by the following:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Department to ensure compliance with the provisions of § 19–319 of the Health – General Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A health maintenance organization to ensure compliance with the provisions of Title 19, Subtitle 7 of the Health – General Article and applicable regulations;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A health maintenance organization to ensure compliance with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) credentialing requirements; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>An accrediting organization to ensure compliance with accreditation requirements or the procedures and policies of the accrediting organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the proceedings, records, and files of the Board are requested by any person from any of the entities in paragraph (2) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The person shall give the Board notice by certified mail of the nature of the request and the Board shall be granted a protective order preventing the release of its proceedings, records, and files; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The entities listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection may not release any of the proceedings, records, and files of the Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A person shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5–637 of the Courts Article for any action as a member of the Board or for giving information to, participating in, or contributing to the function of the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A contribution to the function of the Board includes any statement by any person, regardless of whether it is a direct communication with the Board, that is made within the context of the person’s employment or is made to a person with a professional interest in the functions of a medical review committee and is intended to lead to redress of a matter within the scope of the Board’s functions.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-01" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Advisory Committee” means the Family Security Trust Fund Advisory Committee.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Fund” means the Family Security Trust Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-02" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <text>This subtitle does not limit the authority of the Board to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Take any action against a licensee under the disciplinary provisions of §§ 7–316 through 7–320 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Take any other disciplinary or other action authorized under this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-03" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Family Security Trust Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Administer the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Over a reasonable period of time, build the Fund to a level of $1,000,000 and thereafter maintain the Fund at that level.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall deposit all money collected to the credit of the Fund with the State Treasurer for placement into a special account.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Treasurer may invest or reinvest money in the Fund in the same manner as money in the State Retirement and Pension System.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The investment earnings shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, credited to the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Available for the same purposes as the money deposited into the Fund.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the level of the Fund exceeds $1,000,000, the State Treasurer shall pay the investment earnings of the Fund into the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund is not liable for any other expenses or obligations of the Board.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Accounting and financial reports related to the Fund shall be publicly available in a timely manner.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Legislative Auditor shall audit the accounts and transactions of the Fund as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may retain the services of appropriate experts or service providers to advise about, or administer, the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The costs of the services described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be paid out of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Board shall adopt regulations for the administration and claims procedures of the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-04" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Family Security Trust Fund Advisory Committee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Advisory Committee consists of the following five members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Three members of the Board, including one consumer member, appointed by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One member designated by the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>One member designated by the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of Maryland, Inc.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Advisory Committee members may be, but are not required to be, licensees of the Board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except for the initial terms of the Advisory Committee, the term of a member is 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The terms of the initial members shall be staggered evenly between 3 years and 4 years as the Advisory Committee shall determine at the Advisory Committee’s first meeting.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member may not serve for more than two 4–year terms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Advisory Committee shall elect annually a chair, vice chair, and secretary from among its members.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the chair or the vice chair.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Advisory Committee shall meet at least twice each year at the times and places that it determines.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide nonbinding counsel and advice to the Board on any Fund matters other than pending individual claim matters.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Work with the Advisory Committee in a cooperative manner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide to the Advisory Committee, in a timely manner:</text> <level label="i"> <text>All appropriate Fund information, other than information involving pending claim matters; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Summary information about the outcome of all closed claims, including actual amounts of individual and total claim payments.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A member of the Advisory Committee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Advisory Committee; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May receive reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-05" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>Before the Board issues an initial funeral establishment license, the funeral establishment shall pay, in addition to all other applicable fees, a fee of $375 to be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each funeral establishment shall pay $375 per year into the Fund, until the Fund has accumulated a balance of $1,000,000.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If, after the Fund has accumulated a balance of $1,000,000, the amount in the Fund falls below $1,000,000, the Board shall assess each funeral establishment an additional fee in an amount that will, over a reasonable period, return the Fund to a level of at least $1,000,000.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board may not issue a renewal funeral establishment license if the funeral establishment has not paid the fee required under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-06" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, a person may recover compensation from the Fund for an actual pre–need trust fund loss that occurred on or after January 1, 2010, and is based on an act or omission as described in subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A claim for the loss shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be based on an act or omission that occurs in the provision of funeral pre–need services by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A licensed mortician;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A licensed funeral director;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A licensed apprentice mortician;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A licensed apprentice funeral director; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>An unlicensed employee of a licensed funeral establishment;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Involve a transaction that relates to pre–need funeral planning that occurred in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Be based on an act or omission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In which pre–need money is obtained from a person by theft, embezzlement, false pretenses, or forgery; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That constitutes fraud or misrepresentation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The amount recovered for any claim against the Fund:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not exceed the actual monetary loss suffered; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May not include noneconomic, consequential, or punitive damages.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A funeral establishment shall include in each sales contract that is provided by the funeral establishment a written notice to the buyer that the buyer may file a claim with the Fund.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-07" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>Each claim against the Fund shall be made in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each claim shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be in writing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Be made under oath;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>State the amount of loss claimed;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>State the facts on which the claim is based; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Be accompanied by any documentation or other evidence that supports the claim.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-08" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall act promptly on a claim made under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On receipt of a claim, the Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Forward a copy of the claim:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To each licensee alleged to be responsible for the act or omission giving rise to the claim;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>To each unlicensed employee alleged to be responsible for the act or omission giving rise to the claim; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>To each funeral establishment that employs a licensee or unlicensed employee alleged to be responsible for the act or omission giving rise to the claim; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Request from each of the persons listed in item (1) of this subsection a written response within 10 days to the allegations set forth in the claim.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Shall review the claim and any response to the claim; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May conduct an investigation of the claim.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On the basis of its review and any investigation that the Board conducts, the Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Set the matter for a hearing; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the claim is frivolous, made in bad faith, or legally insufficient, dismiss the claim.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>At any claim hearing, the burden of proof shall be on the claimant to establish the validity of the claim.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-09" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall give the following persons notice of the hearing and an opportunity to participate in the hearing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The claimant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each licensee alleged to be responsible for the act or omission giving rise to the claim;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each unlicensed employee alleged to be responsible for the act or omission giving rise to the claim; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Each funeral establishment that employs a licensee or unlicensed employee alleged to be responsible for the act or omission giving rise to the claim.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not proceed with the hearing unless the records of the Board show that the Board provided each notice required under the provisions of this section and § 7–4A–08 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-10" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>If a claim against the Fund alleges that the act or omission giving rise to the claim was performed by a licensee, the Board may join the proceeding on the claim with any disciplinary proceeding against the licensee under this title arising from the same facts alleged in the claim.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For that part of a hearing on consolidated proceedings that relates to disciplinary action but does not relate to the Fund claim against a licensee, the claimant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not be a party; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May participate only as a witness.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For that part of a hearing on consolidated proceedings that relates to the claim against the Fund, the claimant is a party.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-11" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall order full or partial payment of a claim by the Fund if, on the hearing, the claimant proves that the claimant has a valid claim under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may order full or partial payment by the Fund only for the actual monetary loss suffered by the claimant as a result of the claim proven by the claimant.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A payment may not be made by the Fund under an order of the Board until:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The expiration of the time provided under Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article for seeking judicial review of the Board’s order; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The expiration of any judicial stay of the order of the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall order payment of each claim due in the order in which the claim was awarded.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If, at the time a payment is due, the money in the Fund is insufficient to satisfy fully the order for payment, the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Immediately shall pay to the claimant the amount that is available in the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When sufficient funds are available in the Fund, shall pay the claimant the balance due on the order.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-12" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>After payment of a claim by the Fund, a licensee who the Board finds responsible for the act or omission that gave rise to the claim shall reimburse the Fund in full for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The amount paid by the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Interest on the amount paid by the Fund at an annual rate of 6%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each licensee who the Board finds responsible for the act or omission that gave rise to a claim is jointly and severally liable for the claim.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a licensee does not reimburse the Fund as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Board or the State Central Collection Unit, as assignee of the Board, may bring an action against the licensee for the amount that has not been reimbursed.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board or the State Central Collection Unit, as assignee of the Board, shall be entitled to a judgment for the amount that the licensee has not reimbursed the Fund if the Board proves that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Payment was made by the Fund based on an act or omission for which the Board found the licensee was responsible;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A period of at least 30 days has passed since payment was made by the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The licensee has not reimbursed the Fund for the amount for which the judgment is sought.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If a person liable for reimbursing the Fund under this section receives a demand for reimbursement and fails to reimburse the Fund, the reimbursement amount and any accrued interest or cost are a lien in favor of the State on any real property of the person if the lien is recorded and indexed as provided in this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The lien in favor of the State created by this subsection may not attach to specific property until the State Central Collection Unit records written notice of the lien in the office of the clerk of the court for the county in which the property subject to the lien or any part of the property is located.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The notice required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall contain the name and address of the person against whose property the lien exists, the amount of the lien, a description of or reference to the property subject to the lien, and the date the Fund paid the claim giving rise to the lien.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The lien in favor of the State created by this subsection does not have priority as to any specific property over any person who is a lienholder of record at the time the notice required under paragraph (2) of this subsection is recorded.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On presentation of a release of any lien in favor of the State created by this subsection, the clerk of the court in which the lien is recorded and indexed shall record and index the release and shall note in the lien docket the date the release is filed and the fact that the lien is released.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The notice required under paragraph (2) of this subsection and any release filed under paragraph (4) of this subsection shall be indexed with the judgment lien records maintained by the office of the clerk of the court where the notice is recorded.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The clerk may collect a reasonable fee for recording and indexing each notice of lien or release of any lien under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>For the purpose of excepting to a discharge of a licensee under 11 U.S.C. § 523, the Board or the State Central Collection Unit, as assignee of the Board, is a creditor of the licensee for the amount that was paid by the Fund but that has not been reimbursed by the licensee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4A-13" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4A" subtitle_name="Family Security Trust Fund"> <level label="a"> <text>If the Board orders payment by the Fund of a claim based on an act or omission for which a licensee is responsible, the Board immediately and without further proceedings shall suspend the license of the licensee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not reinstate a license that is suspended under this section until the person whose license was suspended:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Repays in full:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The amount paid by the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The interest due under § 7–4A–12(a)(2) of this subtitle; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Applies to the Board for reinstatement of the license.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Regardless of whether the disciplinary sanction was imposed for the same act or omission that gave rise to the claim against the Fund, the reimbursement of the Fund by a licensee does not affect any sanction imposed by the Board against a person under the disciplinary provisions of §§ 7–316 through 7–320 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-01" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Pet” means a domesticated or tamed animal kept as a companion or for pleasure.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Pet cremains” means the body fragments of a pet after having been cremated.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Pet remains” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-02" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <text>This subtitle applies only to a licensee that engages in the operation of a crematory that sells or offers to sell to the public cremation services for pet remains.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-03" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <level label="a"> <text>Each licensee shall distribute a written description of available pet cremation services to the following persons:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Each owner of a deceased pet or the agent of an owner of a deceased pet who arranges for pet cremation services;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each veterinarian, pet shop, funeral director, or other person who refers pet owners or delivers deceased pets to the licensee more than 5 times in a calendar year;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department of Agriculture; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On request, any other person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The description of pet cremation services required under subsection (a) of this section shall include a detailed and clear explanation of each pet cremation service offered by the licensee, including the following descriptions of cremation services, if offered:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Private cremation means the cremation of a single pet in a clean, empty chamber, after which the pet cremains are returned exclusively to the owner of the pet;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Individual–partitioned cremation means the cremation of multiple pets in the same chamber using physical barriers or designated spaces to maintain separation, after which the pet cremains are returned to each owner; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Communal cremation means the cremation of multiple pets simultaneously in a single chamber without separation and without the return of pet cremains to an owner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the description of pet cremation services required under subsection (a) of this section, a licensee may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Fail to include a complete and accurate explanation of each pet cremation service;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Omit a required disclosure under this section; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Include text, illustrations, a layout, or formatting that causes confusion about the nature of the pet cremation service or obstructs accurate disclosure.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each licensee shall make written copies of the description of pet cremation services under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Available in quantities sufficient to allow for the distribution to pet owners who may be referred to or served by the licensee; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Available at no cost.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A veterinarian, pet shop, registrant, permit holder, licensee, or any other person who refers pet owners or accepts deceased pets for cremation more than 5 times in a calendar year shall provide a copy of the description of pet cremation services described under subsection (a) of this section to the pet owner at the time of referral or acceptance of the deceased pet.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-04" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <level label="a"> <text>If pet cremation services provided by a licensee include the return of pet cremains, the licensee shall provide a written certificate with the returned pet cremains that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date the cremation was completed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A statement that, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge and belief, the cremation and related services were performed in accordance with the licensee’s written description of services unless otherwise indicated on the certificate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A statement that the cremation was conducted in accordance with prevailing industry standards and best practices and in compliance with applicable federal and State laws; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The following statement: “The posted disclosure of pet cremation rights and responsibilities is a summary of Maryland law. The full provisions of the law are set forth in the Pet Cremation Consumer Protection Act in Title 7, Subtitle 4B of the Health Occupations Article of the Maryland Annotated Code.”.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A veterinarian, pet shop, or other person responsible for returning pet cremains to a pet owner shall provide to the pet owner:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A copy of the certificate provided by the licensee under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An additional certificate that states, to the best of the person’s knowledge and belief, and except as otherwise indicated on the certificate, the returned pet cremains:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Are those of the pet owner’s deceased pet; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Have been returned in accordance with the licensee’s representations to the pet owner.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A veterinarian, pet shop, or any other person responsible for returning pet cremains to a pet owner:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May rely in good faith on the certificate provided and representations made by a licensee providing pet cremation services in accordance with the requirements of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is not required to observe the cremation process.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-05" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <level label="a"> <text>Each licensee providing pet cremation services shall post a copy of this subtitle and a written description of the pet cremation services being offered in a conspicuous place in the place of business.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each licensee that provides pet cremation services shall ensure that a holding facility used to retain pet remains before cremation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Protects the health of all individuals responsible for handling pet remains;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Preserves the dignity of the pet remains; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Complies with applicable federal and State laws.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each licensee that provides pet cremation services shall maintain complete and accurate records for each pet cremation completed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each licensee shall retain the following records for a period of at least 5 years:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Each authorization for pet cremation signed by the pet owner or pet owner’s agent;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each identification record, including tags, labels, or tracking documentation used to identify pet cremains; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A logbook for each pet cremation completed that specifies:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The date of cremation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The method of cremation; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The name of the individual who performed the cremation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each licensee shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the confidentiality and security of all records, including personally identifying information related to a pet owner or cremated pet.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-06" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who violates this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For a first violation, a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a second violation, a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a third or subsequent violation, a fine not exceeding $15,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Board finds that a person has violated this subtitle or a regulation adopted under this subtitle, the Board may refer the matter to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Attorney General for civil enforcement; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The appropriate State’s Attorney for criminal prosecution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Attorney General may sue for and a court may grant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Injunctive or other equitable relief;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Imposition of a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Both.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-4B-07" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="4B"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Pet Cremation Consumer Protection Act.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-501" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not practice, attempt to practice, offer to practice, or assist in the practice of mortuary science in this State unless licensed by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not engage in the operation of a crematory, attempt to engage in the operation of a crematory, or provide or offer to provide cremation services unless the individual is authorized as a registrant.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual may not engage in the operation of a reduction facility, attempt to engage in the operation of a reduction facility, or provide or offer to provide natural organic reduction unless the individual is a registered reduction operator.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-501.1" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <text>Except for a registered crematory operator, or a registered reduction operator who operates a business as a sole proprietor or a registrant employed by a sole proprietor, a person may not engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The business is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The corporation, limited liability company, or partnership holds a permit issued under this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-502" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless authorized to practice mortuary science under this title, a person may not represent to the public by title, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the person is authorized to practice mortuary science in this State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless a person is authorized as a registrant, a person may not represent to the public, by use of a title, including crematory operator, registered crematory operator, registered reduction operator, or reduction operator, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the person is authorized to engage in the operation of a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-503" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a licensee may not practice mortuary science under any name other than the name that appears on that person’s license.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The name appearing on the license may be a trade or copyrighted name which may be sold to another licensee as part of the goodwill of the funeral establishment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the sale of the trade name or copyrighted name is made part of a sale of a funeral establishment:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The buyer must:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Notify the Board of the sale of the trade or copyrighted name; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Apply for a funeral license in the name of the new owner; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The funeral establishment license must indicate that the trade or copyrighted name will continue to be used by the new owner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The sale of a funeral establishment does not preclude the buyer from advertising the funeral establishment as the successor to the funeral establishment acquired.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-504" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <text>Unless a person is a licensed mortician, a licensed funeral director, or a holder of a surviving spouse license, the person may not offer or agree, directly or indirectly, to provide services or merchandise under a pre-need contract.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-505" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <text>A licensee or the agent of a licensee may not represent that a burial or funeral casket is required for cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-508" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-509" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section and the hearing provisions of § 7–319 of this title, and in addition to any other sanction authorized for a violation of § 7–501 or § 7–502 of this subtitle, the Board may issue a public cease and desist order, impose a civil fine of not more than $5,000 per offense, or both.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For the purposes of this section, each violation is a separate offense if the violation occurs:</text> <level label="1"> <text>At a different time, date, or location; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On the same date and location at a different time.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may not issue a public cease and desist order to a funeral establishment that was previously licensed by the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-510" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="5"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If a person regulated by the Board is charged with a violation of this title for which a license, registration, or permit may be suspended or revoked, the Board may seek an injunction or restraining order in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State to prohibit the person from:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Practicing mortuary science or funeral direction; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Operating a crematory or reduction facility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An injunction or restraining order issued under this subsection shall remain effective until:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The court lifts the injunction or restraining order; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The charges are fully adjudicated or dismissed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the holder of an establishment license or permit that is regulated by the Board is charged with a violation of this title for which the license or permit may be suspended or revoked, the Board may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Appoint a receiver or trustee to take charge of the assets and operate the business of the establishment licensee or permit holder in the event that the license or permit is suspended or revoked; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Take any other action authorized by law to protect the public interest.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-601" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Mortuary transport service” means an individual or a business entity that, for compensation, removes and transports human remains or employs a transporter to remove or transport human remains.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Mortuary transport service” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A licensed funeral establishment or an employee of a licensed funeral establishment that removes and transports human remains; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A cemetery or employee of a cemetery that removes or transports human remains within the boundaries of the cemetery.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Permit” means a permit issued by the Board to the owner of a mortuary transport service to operate in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Permit holder” means a mortuary transport service that holds a permit issued by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Registered transporter” means an individual employee of a mortuary transport service who has registered with the Board to remove and transport human remains.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Remove and transport human remains” means to remove human remains from one location and transport the human remains to another location.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Transporter” means an individual who removes and transports human remains.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-602" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <level label="a"> <text>A mortuary transport service shall be issued a permit by the Board before the mortuary transport service may remove and transport human remains in this State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>To apply for a permit, a mortuary transport service shall submit to the Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An application on the form that the Board requires;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An application fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Evidence that the mortuary transport service is bonded and carries liability insurance that covers each registered transporter employed by the mortuary transport service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An application for a permit shall be signed by an individual who is the owner or a co–owner of the mortuary transport service to be issued a permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To qualify for a permit, a mortuary transport service shall satisfy the Board that the mortuary transport service:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has complied with all applicable State and local laws;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Will be owned and operated in accordance with this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>While the mortuary transport service removes and transports human remains, will be held responsible for the treatment of the human remains.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A permit holder shall use vehicles that have passed an inspection by an inspector designated by the Board while the permit holder removes and transports human remains.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A permit holder shall employ only registered transporters to remove and transport human remains.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A permit issued under this subtitle shall expire on the date set by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A permit may not be renewed for a term longer than 2 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A permit holder may renew a permit for additional terms, if the permit holder:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Submits to the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An application on the form that the Board requires; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An application fee set by the Board; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Complies with any other renewal requirements established by the Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Signs and advertisements for a mortuary transport service shall display the name of the mortuary transport service as it appears on the permit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-603" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual employed by a permit holder shall be registered with the Board as a transporter before the individual may remove and transport human remains.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To register as a transporter, an individual shall submit to the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A signed application on the form that the Board requires;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A criminal history records check; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Evidence of the completion of coursework recommended by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall register an individual who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Holds a valid driver’s license; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has complied with all applicable State and local laws.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>While a registered transporter removes and transports human remains or otherwise acts in the capacity of a registered transporter, the registered transporter shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Treat every decedent with the utmost dignity; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Prominently display on their person the permit for the mortuary transport service for which the transporter is employed.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-604" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <text>Subject to the hearing provisions of § 7–319 of this title, the Board may deny a permit or registration to any applicant, reprimand any permit holder or registered transporter, place any permit holder or registered transporter on probation, or suspend or revoke any permit or registration if the applicant, permit holder, or registered transporter:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a permit or registration for the applicant, permit holder, registered transporter, or another;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fraudulently or deceptively uses a permit or registration;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Commits fraud or misrepresentation while the applicant, permit holder, or registered transporter removes and transports human remains;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Aids or abets an unauthorized person to remove and transport human remains;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Advertises falsely or in a misleading manner;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Solicits to remove and transport human remains, either personally or by an agent, from a dying individual or the relatives of a dead or dying individual, other than through general advertising;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Employs, pays, or offers to pay a “capper”, “steerer”, “solicitor”, or any other person to obtain business, either in general or for a permit holder or registered transporter;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Directly or indirectly pays or offers to pay to obtain business to remove and transport human remains;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Solicits or accepts any payment or rebate for recommending any crematory, mausoleum, or cemetery or causing human remains to be disposed of there;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Refuses to surrender custody of human remains on the demand of a person who is entitled to their custody;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Sells or offers to sell any share, certificate, or interest in a mortuary transport service with a promise or offer to perform services to the buyer at a cost less than that offered to the general public;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Violates any State, municipal, or county law, rule, or regulation on the handling, custody, care, or transportation of human remains or the disposal of instruments, materials, and wastes relevant to preparation of human remains for final disposition;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>Removes and transports human remains under a name other than the name that appears on the permit or registration of the permit holder or registered transporter;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>Signs an application for a permit or registration if the signer knew or should have known that grounds existed for which the permit or registration later was denied, suspended, or revoked;</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>Violates any provision of this subtitle or of any other law relating to removing and transporting human remains;</text> </level> <level label="17"> <text>Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority of any other state or country or convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board’s disciplinary statutes;</text> </level> <level label="18"> <text>Willfully makes or files a false report or record for a mortuary transport service;</text> </level> <level label="19"> <text>Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of the report, or induces another to fail to file or record the report;</text> </level> <level label="20"> <text>Submits a false statement to collect a fee;</text> </level> <level label="21"> <text>Provides professional services while:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Under the influence of alcohol; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance, as defined in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article, or other drug that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication;</text> </level> </level> <level label="22"> <text>Violates any rule or regulation adopted by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="23"> <text>Is professionally, physically, or mentally incompetent;</text> </level> <level label="24"> <text>Commits an act of unprofessional conduct while removing and transporting human remains;</text> </level> <level label="25"> <text>Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual with regard to the provision of professional services for which the permit holder or registered transporter is qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive;</text> </level> <level label="26"> <text>Except in an emergency life–threatening situation where it is not feasible or practicable, fails to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions;</text> </level> <level label="27"> <text>Removes human remains from a death scene, mortuary, funeral establishment, or crematory without authorization of the individual or entity in custody of the human remains;</text> </level> <level label="28"> <text>Removes and transports human remains, either free of charge or for compensation, to an entity where the human remains are not authorized to be held; or</text> </level> <level label="29"> <text>Removes and transports human remains without respect for the decedent or the health and safety of the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-605" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless an individual or entity holds a current permit issued by the Board under this subtitle, the individual or entity may not represent to the public by name, description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual or entity is a permit holder.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless an individual or entity holds a current permit issued by the Board under this subtitle, an individual or entity may not use the words “permitted mortuary transport service” or “mortuary transport service” with the intent to represent that the individual or entity is authorized to operate as a permit holder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless an individual is registered by the Board under this subtitle, the individual may not represent to the public by name, description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the individual is a registered transporter.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless an individual is registered by the Board under this subtitle, the individual may not use the terms “registered transporter” or “transporter” with the intent to represent that the individual is authorized to operate as a registered transporter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A mortuary transport service or transporter may not obtain a permit or registration by making a false statement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On conviction of an individual for making a false representation to the Board in order to obtain a permit or registration, the permit or registration is void.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-606" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-607" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Mortuary Transport Services"> <text>The Board shall adopt regulations to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Implement this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establish requirements for removing and transporting human remains.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-701" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Short Title; Termination of Title"> <text>This title may be cited as the “Maryland Morticians and Funeral Directors Act”.</text> </section> <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="7-702" title_number="7" title_name="Morticians and Funeral Directors" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Short Title; Termination of Title"> <text>Subject to the evaluation and reestablishment provisions of the Program Evaluation Act, this title and all rules and regulations adopted under this title shall terminate and be of no effect after July 1, 2028.</text> </section>