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NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE GEORGIA STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE CHAPTER 250-6 ESTABLISHMENT/CREMATORY LICENSURE AND REGULATIONS, RULE 250-6-.06 FUNERAL ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTIONS; FINES, RULE 250-6-.07 CREMATORY INSPECTIONS. AMENDED AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Purpose/Main Feature: These proposed rules aim to set requirements for closing a Funeral Establishment or Crematory and reiterate the statutory requirement that the Board be notified 15 days prior to the proposed change. The rules will require that Funeral Establishments and Crematories pass an inspection of the establishment prior to its closure and sets the general requirements for the closing inspection. The Board has spent considerable time observing outcomes that commonly result from hastily or carelessly closed Funeral Establishments and Crematories. The Board has consulted with the Secretary of State’s Office regarding the importance of determining the status and ownership of preneed contracts upon the discontinuation of the business who sold the preneed contract, and was responsible for investing the funds appropriately. Ascertaining the preneed contract status at the time a facility closes will likely prevent countless defaulted preneed contracts. Notifications of facility closure to the County Coroner/Medical Examiner will alert them to the potential need to collect any unclaimed cremains, and notification to the Vital Records registrar is important in the event there are outstanding death certificates. Confirmation that all biohazards, and any items detrimental to the public or the environment, have been removed, clearly furthers the Board’s exercise of its health powers. The Board has considered multiple variations of these proposed rules and has determined this to be the most succinct wording while adhering to requirements in the statute.

This notice, an exact copy of the proposed rules, and a synopsis of the proposed rules are being sent to all persons who have requested, in writing, to be included on a notification list. This notice, an exact copy of the proposed rules, and a synopsis of the proposed rules may also be reviewed during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except official State holidays, at the Office of the Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. The documents will also be available for review on the Board’s website at https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-boardfuneral-service. Copies may also be requested by contacting the Board office at (844) 753-7825.

The public will have an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed rules amendment at a public hearing to be held at 10:00 a.m., May 9, 2023 in the Office of the Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. If the Board office remains closed due to the public health emergency (COVID-19), the hearing will be held via teleconference. Please see Board’s website for information on how to join the meeting via teleconference.

Interested parties affected by the rule may submit written comments to the Board no later than close of business on May 1, 2023. Written comments must be legible, signed, contain contact information from the maker (address, telephone number, email address), and addressed to Brad Coman, Executive Director, Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division, Georgia State Board of Funeral Service, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, Georgia 31217. Written comments may be faxed to (866) 888-9718.

For more information and the full notice, open the file below.

Continuing Education Requirement Changes

As we previously reported, the Georgia State Board of Funeral Service has changed its Continuing Education requirements. The hours required biennially have not changed, but the Board now requires that at least five (5) hours of the total ten (10) hours required be obtained in-person or via live webinar that is instructor led with student interaction, where student participation is monitored and verified. The Board also requires that Continuing Education be in any or all of the following subject areas:

1. FTC Funeral Rule Compliance
2. Embalming and Restorative Arts
3. Leadership and Development
4. Cremation/Alkaline Hydrolysis
5. OSHA Requirements
6. Advertising/Social Media/Technology
7. Funeral Directing/Aftercare