Bill Text: PA SB964 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Providing for the licensing and regulation of cremation; prescribing penalties; and establishing the Crematory Regulation Fund.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-28 - Re-committed to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE [SB964 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB964-Amended.html

  

 

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1053

PRINTER'S NO.  2050

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

964

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON, STACK, ORIE, VANCE, FONTANA, KASUNIC, ERICKSON, M. WHITE, BOSCOLA AND ALLOWAY, APRIL 13, 2011

  

  

SENATOR TOMLINSON, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, AS AMENDED, MARCH 27, 2012   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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Providing for the licensing and regulation of cremation; 

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prescribing penalties; and establishing the Crematory

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Regulation Fund.

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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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hereby enacts as follows:

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Section 1.  Short title.

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This act shall be known and may be cited as the Cremation

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Act.

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Section 2.  Definitions.

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The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

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have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

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context clearly indicates otherwise:

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"Authorizing agent."  A person, including the medical

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examiner or coroner, who is legally entitled to authorize the

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cremation of human remains.

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"Board."  The State Board of Funeral Directors.

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"Body parts."  Organs, tissues, eyes, bones, blood, blood

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vessels and other portions of the human anatomy.

 


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"Burial disposition permit."  As required under the act of

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June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics

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Law of 1953.

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"Casket."  A rigid container designed for the encasement of

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human remains, usually constructed of wood, metal or like

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material and ornamented and lined with fabric, which may or may

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not be combustible.

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"Cemetery."  As defined in the act of February 19, 1980

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(P.L.15, No.9), known as the Real Estate Licensing and

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Registration Act. A place for the disposal or burial of deceased

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human beings, by cremation or in a grave, mausoleum, vault,

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columbarium or other receptacle.

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"Change of ownership."  A transfer of more than 50% of the

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stock or assets of a crematory licensee.

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"Closed container."  Any container in which cremated remains

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can be placed and closed in a manner so as to prevent leakage or

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spillage of remains or the entrance of foreign material.

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"Commission."  The Real Estate Commission.

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"Cremated remains."  All the remains of the cremated human

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body and its associated materials that may include the casket,

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cremation container and acceptable personal belongings.

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"Cremation."  The technical process, using mechanical,

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thermal and other mechanical or thermal dissolution, that

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reduces human remains to bone fragments. The term includes the

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processing and pulverization of the bone fragments.

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"Cremation chamber."  The enclosed space within which the

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cremation process takes place. Cremation chambers licensed under

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this act shall be used exclusively for the cremation of human

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remains.

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"Cremation container."  The container in which the human

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remains are placed in the cremation chamber for a cremation and

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which container is:

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(1)  Composed of combustible materials suitable for

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cremation.

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(2)  Able to be closed in order to provide a complete

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covering for the human remains.

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"Crematory."  The building or portion of a building that

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houses the cremation chamber and the holding facility.

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"Crematory licensee."  The legal entity or the authorized

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representative of the legal entity which is licensed to operate

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a crematory.

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"Department."  The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

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"Disposition permit."  As required under the act of June 29,

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1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics Law of

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1953.

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"Final disposition."  The burial or other disposition on a

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permanent basis of a deceased human body, body parts or cremated

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remains.

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"Funeral director."  As defined in the act of January 14,

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1952 (1951 P.L.1898, No.522), known as the Funeral Director Law.

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"Funeral establishment."  Every place or premise approved by

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the State Board of Funeral Directors wherein a licensed funeral

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director conducts the professional practice of funeral directing

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including the preparation, care and funeral services for the

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human dead.

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"Holding facility."  An area within or adjacent to the

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crematory facility designated for the retention of human remains

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prior to cremation.

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"Human remains."  The body of a deceased person, or part of a

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body or limb that has been removed from a living person,

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including the body, part of a body or limb in any stage of

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decomposition.

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"Ossuary."  A receptacle, building or site that serves as a

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final resting place for commingled human remains.

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"Processing."  The reduction of identifiable bone fragments

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after the completion of the cremation process to unidentifiable

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bone fragments.

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"Pulverization."  The reduction of identifiable bone

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fragments after the completion of the cremation and processing

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to unidentifiable granulated particles by manual or mechanical

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means.

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"Scattering area."  A designated area for the scattering of

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cremated remains, usually in a cemetery and located on dedicated

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cemetery property where cremated remains which have been removed

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from their container can be mixed with or placed on top of the

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soil or ground cover or placed in an ossuary.

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"Temporary container."  A receptacle for cremated remains.

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"Urn."  A receptacle designed to encase the cremated remains

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for interment and noninterment purposes.

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Section 3.  Establishment of crematory and licensure of

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crematory.

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(a)  Crematory.--Any person doing business in this

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Commonwealth or any cemetery, funeral establishment,

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corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization

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or any other entity, if licensed under this act, may intending

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to erect, maintain and conduct a crematory in this Commonwealth

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and provide the necessary facilities for the cremation of human

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remains must be licensed in accordance with the provisions of

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this act.

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(b)  Crematory licensee.--A crematory licensee shall be

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subject to all Federal, State and local health and environmental

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and zoning subdivision and land development requirements and

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ordinances and shall obtain all necessary licenses and permits

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from the respective board or commission State Board of Funeral

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Directors or the State Real Estate Commission and the Federal

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and State environmental agencies or other appropriate Federal,

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State or local agencies.

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(c)  Facilities.--License applications for crematories shall

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be on forms furnished and prescribed by the respective board or

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commission department and shall provide the respective board or

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commission with the following information:

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(1)  The full name and address, both residence and

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business, of the applicant if the applicant is an individual;

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the full name and address of each partner and the partnership

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if the applicant is a partnership; the full name and address

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of every member of the board of directors and the association

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if the applicant is an association; and the name and address

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of every officer, director and shareholder holding more than

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25% of the corporate stock of the corporation and the name of

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the corporation if the applicant is a corporation. The name

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and address of the licensed operator as shown on the permit

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issued by the Department of Environmental Protection.

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(2)  A copy of the Department of Environmental Protection

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permit and application.

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(2) (3)  Proof of liability insurance for no less than

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$1,000,000.

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(3) (4)  A detailed statement for each of the individuals

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listed in the application on the Department of Environmental

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Protection permit under paragraph (1) (2) providing their 

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employment for the last ten years immediately preceding the

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application permit issuance, any felony or misdemeanor

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convictions or arrests or involvement in civil litigation in

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which fraud was an element of the crime or complaint and any

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information about disciplinary actions or the loss or

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suspension of any professional license in this Commonwealth

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or any other state and, in particular, related to the

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business of funeral directing or operation of a cemetery or

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crematory.

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(4)  The address of the crematory.

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(5)  Evidence confirming the date the crematory was

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permitted to be open and began operation.

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(6)  A description of the type of structure and equipment

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used or to be used in the operation of the crematory.

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(7) (5)  Copies of all other licenses or permits required

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for a crematory to operate in this Commonwealth.

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(8) (6)  Any further information that the respective

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board or commission may reasonably department may request.

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(c.1)  Crematory license fee.--A license application must be

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accompanied by a license fee in the amount of $1,000 for each

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legal entity to be licensed under this act. The department may

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increase the fee by regulation in an amount sufficient to cover

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the cost of administration of this act.

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(d)  Annual report.--Each crematory licensee shall file an

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annual report with the respective board or commission 

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department, accompanied by a fee in an amount to be determined

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by the respective board or commission department. The

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information provided under subsection (c) or (d) must indicate

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if any changes that have occurred. The annual report shall be

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filed by a crematory licensee on or before March 15 of each

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calendar year with the respective board or commission 

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department. If the fiscal year of a crematory licensee is other

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than on a calendar-year basis, then the crematory licensee shall

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file the report required by this section within 75 days after

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the end of its fiscal year. The respective board or commission

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shall, for good cause shown, grant an extension for the filing

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of the annual report upon written request of the crematory

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licensee. An extension shall not exceed 60 days. If a crematory

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licensee fails to submit an annual report to the respective

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board or commission department within the time specified in this

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section, the respective board or commission department shall

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impose upon the crematory licensee a penalty of $1,000 for each

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day the crematory licensee remains delinquent in submitting the

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annual report.

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(e)  Inspection of records and facilities.--All records

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relating to the operation of the crematory licensee required to

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be filed under this section shall be subject to inspection by

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the respective board or commission department. The respective

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board or commission department shall have the authority to

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inspect the facilities at any time and must inspect the facility

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on an unannounced annual basis.

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(f)  Prohibition.--No person, cemetery, funeral

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establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture,

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voluntary organization or any other or entity shall cremate any

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human remains, except in a crematory licensed for this express 

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purpose and under the limitations as provided in this act.

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(g)  Crematory personnel.--

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(1)  Each crematory for which a license is required shall

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be operated under the supervision of a manager qualified in

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accordance with rules adopted by the respective board or

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commission. Each manager shall be required to successfully

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pass a written examination evidencing an understanding of the

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applicable provisions of law. No person shall engage in the

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business of, act in the capacity of, or advertise or assume

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to act as, a crematory manager without first obtaining a

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license.

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(2)  The crematory licensee or authorized representative

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shall provide training to all crematory personnel involved in

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the cremation process. This training shall lead to a

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demonstrated knowledge on the part of an employee regarding

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identification procedures used during cremation, operation of

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the cremation chamber and processing equipment and all laws

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relevant to the handling of cremated human remains. This

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training shall be outlined in a written plan maintained by

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the crematory licensee for inspection by an inspector of the

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respective board or commission. No employee shall be allowed

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to operate any cremation equipment until the employee has

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demonstrated an understanding of procedures required to

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ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained at

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the crematory and that cremated remains are not commingled

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other than for residue. The crematory licensee shall maintain

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a record to document that an employee has received training.

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Any crematory that fails to produce a written employee

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instruction plan, or record of employee training for

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inspection upon request shall have 15 working days from the

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time of the request to produce a plan or training record for

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review. The license of the crematory shall be suspended if no

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plan or training record is produced for review after 15

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working days have elapsed.

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Section 4.  Authorizing agent.

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Cremations may be performed only after the crematory has

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received signed authorization from the authorizing agent or his

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designated agent.

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Section 5.  Authorization to cremate.

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(a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this

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section, a crematory licensee shall not cremate human remains

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until it has received from the funeral director, the coroner or

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medical examiner the following information:

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(1)  A cremation authorization form signed by an

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authorizing agent. The cremation authorization form shall

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have the name of the cremation licensee, its address and the

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name of its manager prominently displayed on the top of the

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form. The cremation authorization form shall contain, at a

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minimum, the following information:

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(i)  The identity of the human remains, if known,

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including status as a veteran, and the time and date of

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death and verification that the remains have been

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identified by the authorizing agent or his designated

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representative, or the coroner or medical examiner

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indicates the remains cannot be identified.

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(ii)  The name of the funeral director and funeral

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establishment, where appropriate, that obtained the

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cremation authorization.

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(iii)  Notification as to whether the death occurred

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from a disease declared by the Centers for Disease

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Control (CDC) to be infectious, contagious or

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communicable.

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(iv)  The name and address of the authorizing agent

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and, where appropriate, the relationship between the

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authorizing agent and the decedent.

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(v)  A representation that the authorizing agent does

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in fact have the right to authorize the cremation of the

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decedent and that the authorizing agent is not aware of

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any living person who has a superior or equal priority

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right to that of the authorizing agent. In the event

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there is another living person who has a superior or

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equal priority right to the authorizing agent, the form

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shall contain a representation that the authorizing agent

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has made reasonable efforts to contact that person, has

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been unable to do so and has no reason to believe that

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the person would object to the cremation of the decedent.

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(vi)  Authorization for the crematory licensee to

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cremate the human remains.

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(vii)  A representation that the human remains do not

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contain a pacemaker or any other material or implant that

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may be potentially hazardous or cause damage to the

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cremation chamber or the operator of the crematory.

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(viii)  The name of the person authorized to receive

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the cremated remains from the crematory licensee.

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(ix)  The signature of the authorizing agent

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attesting to the accuracy of all representations

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contained on the cremation authorization form.

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(x)  The cremation authorization form shall also be

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signed by a funeral director when one is used. That

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funeral director, if any, who shall execute the cremation

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authorization form as a witness and shall not be

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responsible for any of the representations made by the

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authorizing agent except the funeral director or funeral

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establishment shall warrant to the crematory licensee

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that the human remains delivered to the crematory

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licensee have been positively identified as the decedent

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listed on the cremation authorization form by the

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authorizing agent or a designated representative of the

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authorizing agent. Such identification shall be made in

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person or by photograph or other identification as

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approved by the department by the authorizing agent or

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designated representative of the authorizing agent.

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(2)  A completed and executed burial disposition permit, 

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as provided by State law, indicating that human remains are

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to be cremated.

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(b)  Delegation.--If an authorizing agent is not available to

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execute the cremation authorization form, that person may

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delegate that authority to another person in writing, including

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electronic transmission. A written delegation of authority of an

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authorizing agent shall include:

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(1)  The name, address and relationship of the

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authorizing agent to the decedent.

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(2)  The name and address of the person to whom authority

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is delegated and that the person authorized under this

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section may serve as the authorizing agent and execute the

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cremation authorization form.

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(c)  Unidentified remains.--A crematory licensee shall not

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accept unidentified human remains unless the coroner or medical

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examiner within this Commonwealth is directing disposition of

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the remains pursuant to a disposition permit. When the crematory

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licensee takes custody of a cremation container subsequent to

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the human remains being placed within it, the crematory licensee

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may rely on the identification made before the body was placed

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in the cremation container. The crematory licensee shall place

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appropriate identification upon the exterior of the cremation

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container based on the prior identification.

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Section 6.  Cremation records and required information.

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(a)  General rule.--

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(1)  A crematory shall maintain on its premises an

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accurate record of all cremations performed, including:

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(i)  The name of referring funeral director, if any,

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or coroner or medical examiner.

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(ii)  The name of deceased.

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(iii)  The date of cremation.

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(iv)  The name of cremation chamber operator.

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(v)  The time and date that human remains were

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inserted in the cremation chamber.

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(vi)  The time and date that human remains were

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removed from cremation chamber.

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(vii)  The time and date that final processing of

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cremated remains was completed.

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(viii)  The disposition of cremated remains.

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(vii)  The name and address of the individual who

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accepted the cremated remains.

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(ix) (viii)  The name and address of authorizing

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agent.

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(x) (ix)  The identification number assigned to the

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deceased.

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(xi) (x)  A photocopy of the disposition permit filed

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in connection with the disposition.

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(2)  The information under paragraph (1) shall be

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maintained for ten years after the cremation is performed and

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shall be subject to inspection.

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(3)  The crematory licensee shall furnish a receipt to

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the person who delivers human remains to the crematory

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licensee a receipt, which shall be signed by both the

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crematory licensee and the funeral director or his agent, if

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any, who delivers the human remains, showing:

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(i)  The date and time of the delivery.

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(ii)  The type of casket or cremation container that

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was delivered.

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(iii)  The name of the person from whom the human

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remains were received and the name of the funeral

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establishment, if any.

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(iv)  The name of the person who received the human

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remains on behalf of the crematory licensee.

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(v)  The name of the decedent.

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(4)  The crematory licensee shall retain a copy of the

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receipt under paragraph (3) for ten seven years.

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(b)  Release of remains.--Cremated remains shall only be

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released or disposed of in accordance with the law, and the

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expressed written consent of the authorizing agent. Upon its

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release of cremated remains, the crematory licensee shall

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furnish to the person who receives the cremated remains from the

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crematory licensee a receipt signed by both the crematory

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licensee and the person who receives the cremated remains

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showing the date and time of the release, the name of the person

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to whom the cremated remains were released and, if applicable,

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the name of the funeral establishment, cemetery or other entity

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with whom the person is affiliated, the name of the person who

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released the cremated remains on behalf of the crematory

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licensee and the name of the decedent. The crematory licensee

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shall retain a copy of this receipt for ten years.

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(c)  Disposal.--The crematory licensee shall maintain a

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record of all cremated remains disposed of by the crematory

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licensee for ten seven years.

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(d)  Record for interment of cremated remains.--Upon

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completion of the cremation, where appropriate, the crematory

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licensee shall issue the record for interment of cremated

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remains required by law to the authorizing agent or designee

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that receives the cremated remains.

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(e)  Cemeteries.--All cemeteries shall maintain a record of

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all cremated remains that are interred or scattered on their

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property.

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(f)  Sale of crematory.--If a change in crematory ownership

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should occur, all records subject to subsections (a), (b) and

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(c) shall become the property of the majority owner.

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Section 7.  Cremation containers.

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(a)  Delivery and disposition.--Human remains must be

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delivered to a crematory in a casket or cremation container

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marked with the decedent's name, date of death and whether or

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not the remains have been embalmed. Human remains and any

17

personal property shall not be removed from the casket or

18

cremation container without the permission of the authorized

19

agent and the casket or cremation container shall be cremated

20

with the human remains and personal property unless the

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crematory licensee has been provided with written instructions

22

to the contrary by the authorizing agent or unless the crematory

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licensee does not accept certain materials for cremation. The

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crematory licensee must disclose unacceptable materials prior to

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delivery of the human remains.

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(b)  Treatment of prosthetics and valuables; disposition to

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family; and resale.--The department shall develop a procedure

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for the sale or disposal of prosthetics and valuables.

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Section 8.  Cremation procedures.

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(a)  Acceptance.--Crematory licensees shall only accept human

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remains from funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners

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or their designees.

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(b)  Procedure.--Human remains shall not be cremated within

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24 hours after the time of death, as indicated on the

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certificate of death or the coroner's or medical examiner's

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certificate. If the death comes under the authority of the

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coroner or medical examiner, the human remains shall not be

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received by the crematory licensee until authorization to

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cremate has been received in writing or orally or verifiable

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electronic format from the coroner or medical examiner of the

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county in which the death occurred and provided to the crematory

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licensee. In no instance shall the lapse of time between the

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death and any cremation be less than 24 hours unless the death

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was a result of an infectious, contagious or communicable

15

disease and such requirement is waived in writing or orally or

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verifiable electronic format by the coroner or medical examiner

17

where the death occurred and is deemed necessary.

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(c) (b)  Hazardous items.--No human remains shall be cremated

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with a pacemaker or other potentially hazardous implant in

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place. The authorizing agent for the cremation of the human

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remains shall be responsible for informing the funeral director

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about a pacemaker or other potentially hazardous implant. The

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authorizing agent shall be responsible for any damage that

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results from a failure to inform the crematory licensee or

25

funeral director about the pacemaker or implants if he or she

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fails to inform the funeral director, when asked, about their

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presence.

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(d) (c)  Crematory licensee.--A crematory shall cremate only

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human remains in cremation chambers, along with the casket or

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cremation container, and acceptable personal belongings of the

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deceased, and no more than a negligible amount of chlorinated

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plastic pouches utilized for disease control when necessary.

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(e) (d)  Holding remains.--A crematory licensee shall hold

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human remains prior to their cremation according to the

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following:

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(1)  Whenever a crematory licensee is unable to cremate

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the human remains immediately upon taking custody of the

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remains, the crematory licensee shall place the human remains

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in a refrigeration facility at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less

10

at a suitable location, unless the human remains have been

11

embalmed.

12

(2)  A crematory licensee shall not be required to accept

13

for holding a cremation container from which there is

14

evidence of leakage of the body fluids from the human remains

15

therein.

16

(f) (e)  Authorized persons.--Only those persons authorized

<--

17

by the crematory licensee shall be permitted in the crematory

18

area while any human remains are in the crematory area awaiting

19

cremation, being cremated or being removed from the cremation

20

chamber.

21

(g) (f)  Multiple cremations.--The simultaneous cremation of

<--

22

the human remains of more than one person within the same

23

cremation chamber is not allowed permitted unless the crematory

<--

24

licensee has received specific written authorization to do so

25

from all authorizing agents for the human remains to be so

26

cremated. A written authorization shall exempt the crematory

27

licensee from all liability for commingling of the cremated

28

remains during the cremation process.

29

(h) (g)  Verification.--Immediately prior to being placed

<--

30

within the cremation chamber, the identification of the human

- 16 -

 


1

remains, as indicated on the cremation container, shall be

2

verified by the crematory licensee.

3

(i) (h)  Residue.--Upon completion of the cremation, and

<--

4

insofar as possible, all of the recoverable residue of the

5

cremation process shall be removed from the cremation chamber.

6

Insofar as possible, all residue from the cremation process

7

shall then be separated from anything other than bone fragments.

8

The remaining bone fragments shall be processed and pulverized

9

to reduce them to unidentifiable granulated particles. Any other

10

materials shall be removed from the cremated residuals as far as

11

possible and shall be disposed of by the crematory licensee.

12

(j) (i)  Packing.--Cremated remains shall be packed as

<--

13

follows:

14

(1)  The cremated remains with the proper identification

15

shall be placed in a temporary container or urn. The

16

temporary container or urn contents shall be packed in clean

17

packing materials and shall not be contaminated with any

18

other object unless specific authorization has been received

19

from the authorizing agent or as provided in this act.

20

(2)  If the cremated remains do not fit within the

21

dimensions of a temporary container or urn, the remainder of

22

the cremated remains shall be returned to the authorizing

23

agent or his or her representatives in a separate container.

24

Containers or urns shall be clearly marked on the outside of

25

the container or urn with the name of the deceased person

26

whose cremated remains are contained therein and an

27

indication that containers are being used to hold the

28

cremated remains.

29

(3)  If the cremated remains are to be shipped, the

30

temporary container or designated receptacle ordered by the

- 17 -

 


1

authorizing agent shall be packed securely in a suitable,

2

sturdy and pressure-resistant container which is not fragile

3

and is sealed properly. Cremated remains shall be shipped

4

only by a method which has an internal tracing system

5

available and which provides a receipt signed by the person

6

accepting delivery.

7

(k) (j)  Removal of body parts.--No funeral director or

<--

8

funeral establishment shall remove body parts, permit others to

9

remove body parts or use funeral establishment facilities to

10

remove body parts from human remains except as necessary to

11

perform embalming or other services in preparation for burial or

12

cremation authorized in writing by the authorizing agent. If a

13

funeral director is notified by a person authorized to make

14

donations pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 86, Subch. B (relating to

15

express anatomical gifts) that he wishes to donate body parts

16

from human remains within the funeral director's custody, the

17

funeral director shall immediately notify the federally

18

designated organ procurement organization serving that region.

19

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the organ

20

procurement organization or a Pennsylvania nonprofit eye bank

21

registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and

22

accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America shall be

23

permitted to perform a recovery of donated ocular tissue,

24

including, without limitation, the whole eye, cornea and sclera,

25

and associated blood specimens at the funeral establishment if

26

the donation is authorized under 20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 86 (relating to

27

anatomical gifts) and performed consistent with accepted

<--

28

procedures. Appropriate documentation from the organ procurement

29

organization shall be provided.

30

Section 9.  Disposition of cremated remains.

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1

(a)  Responsibility.--The authorizing agent is responsible

2

for the disposition of the cremated remains. If, after a period

3

of 30 days from the date of cremation, the authorizing agent or

4

his representative has not specified the ultimate disposition of

5

or claimed the cremated remains, the crematory licensee, the

6

funeral establishment or other person in possession of the

7

cremated remains may dispose of the cremated remains in 30 days

8

in any manner permitted by law, except scattering. A record of

9

the disposition shall be made and kept by the person making the

10

disposition. Upon disposing of cremated remains in accordance

11

with this section, the crematory licensee, funeral establishment

12

or person in possession of the cremated remains shall be

13

discharged from any legal obligation or liability concerning

14

such cremated remains.

15

(b)  Delivery.--The licensed funeral director, as

16

appropriate, shall deliver the cremated remains to the

17

individual specified by the authorizing agent on the cremation

18

authorization form. The representative of the crematory licensee

19

and the individual receiving the cremated remains shall sign a

20

receipt indicating the name of the deceased, the date, time and

21

place of the receipt and other information as provided in

22

section 5. If the cremated remains are shipped, a record of the

23

internal tracing history and the signed receipt shall suffice.

24

The funeral director and crematory licensee shall retain a copy

25

of the internal tracing history and the signed receipt.

26

Section 10.  Veterans.

27

(a)  Determination.--In order to determine if the cremated

28

remains belong to a veteran, the crematory licensee, the funeral

29

establishment or other person in possession of the cremated

30

remains may share the information with the United States

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1

Department of Veterans Affairs, a state department of military

2

and veterans affairs, a county veterans' affairs office or a

3

national or county veterans' cemetery.

4

(b)  Liability.--For the purposes of this section, the

5

crematory licensee, the funeral establishment or other person in

6

possession of the cremated remains shall not be liable for

7

releasing and sharing information in accordance with subsection

8

(a) in order to determine the decedent's veteran status.

9

(c)  Reimbursement.--The authorizing agent shall be

10

responsible for reimbursing a funeral establishment or

11

organization under subsection (a) for all reasonable expenses

12

incurred in relation to the disposition of the cremated remains.

13

(d)  Record.--The licensed funeral director or crematory

14

licensee must maintain a record identifying the organization

15

under subsection (a) that receives the cremated remains and the

16

site designation for final disposition of the cremated remains.

17

Section 11.  Limitation of liability.

18

(a)  General rule.--Any person signing a cremation

19

authorization form as an authorizing agent shall be deemed to

20

warrant the truthfulness of any facts set forth in the cremation

21

authorization form, including the identity of the deceased whose

22

remains are sought to be cremated and that person's authority to

23

order such cremation. Any person other than a coroner or medical

24

examiner signing a cremation authorization form as an

25

authorizing agent shall be personally and individually liable

26

for any resulting damage. A crematory licensee and a funeral

27

establishment may rely upon the representations of the

28

authorizing agent in the cremation authorization form.

29

(b)  Funeral establishment.--A funeral establishment shall

<--

30

have the authority to arrange the cremation of human remains

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1

upon the receipt of a cremation authorization form signed by an

2

authorizing agent. A crematory licensee shall have authority to

3

cremate human remains upon the receipt of a cremation

4

authorization form signed by an authorizing agent, so long as

5

they are in accordance with section 8(b).

6

(c) (b)  Refusal.--

<--

7

(1)  A funeral establishment that refuses to arrange a

<--

8

cremation and a crematory licensee that refuses to accept

9

human remains or crematory licensee that refuses to perform a

<--

10

cremation shall not be liable for refusing to accept the

11

human remains or to perform a cremation until they receive a

12

court order or other suitable confirmation that a dispute has

13

been settled:

14

(i)  if they are aware of any dispute concerning the

15

cremation of human remains;

16

(ii)  if they have a reasonable basis for questioning

17

any of the representations made by the authorizing agent;

18

or

19

(iii)  for any other lawful reason.

20

(2)  If a funeral establishment or crematory licensee is

21

aware of any dispute concerning the release or disposition of

22

the cremated remains, the funeral establishment or crematory

23

licensee may refuse to release the cremated remains until the

24

dispute has been resolved or the funeral establishment or

25

crematory licensee has been provided with a court order or

26

other suitable confirmation authorizing the release or

27

disposition of the cremated remains. Funeral establishments

28

and crematory licensees shall not be liable for the refusal

29

to release or dispose of cremated remains in accordance with

30

this subsection.

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1

Section 12.  Pacemakers and other battery-powered implants.

2

If any authorizing agent informs the funeral establishment in

3

writing on the cremation authorization form of the presence of a

4

pacemaker or other battery-powered implants in the human

5

remains, the funeral establishment shall be responsible for

6

ensuring that all necessary steps have been taken to remove the

7

pacemaker or other battery-operated implants before delivering

8

the human remains to the crematory. If the funeral establishment

9

that has received written notice of the presence of a pacemaker

10

or implant delivers the human remains to the crematory without

11

removing the pacemaker or implant from the human remains, and if

12

the human remains are cremated with the pacemaker or implant,

13

the funeral establishment that delivered the human remains to

14

the crematory shall also be liable for all resulting damages.

15

Section 13.  Administration.

16

(a)  General rule.--The Department of State and the

<--

17

Department of Health department may promulgate regulations

<--

18

consistent with this act. Regulations may include:

<--

19

(1)  The conditions under which human remains with an

20

infectious, contagious or communicable disease can be

21

transported from any portion of this Commonwealth to a

22

crematory for the purpose of cremation.

23

(2)  Minimum standards of sanitation, required equipment

24

and fire protection for all crematories which the department

25

may deem necessary for the protection of the public.

26

(b)  Crematory rules policies.--A crematory licensee may

<--

27

enact rules policies consistent with this act for the management

<--

28

and operation of a crematory, the types of cremation containers

29

it will accept, authorization forms required, witnesses to a

30

cremation and similar provisions. Nothing in this subsection

- 22 -

 


1

shall prevent a crematory licensee from enacting rules policies 

<--

2

which are more stringent than the provisions contained in this

3

act except that no crematory licensee shall make or enforce any

4

rules policies requiring that human remains be placed in a

<--

5

casket before cremation or that human remains be cremated in a

6

casket, nor shall a crematory licensee refuse to accept human

<--

7

remains for cremation for the reason that they are not in a

8

casket.

9

(c)  Violations.--Violations of this act shall be punishable

<--

10

as follows:

11

(1)  Operating a crematory without being licensed under

12

this act, or performing a cremation without a cremation

13

authorization form signed by an authorizing agent constitutes

14

a misdemeanor of the second degree. Each cremation shall

15

constitute a separate violation.

16

(2)  Engaging in the activities of a crematory manager

17

without holding a valid, unexpired crematory manager

18

registration certificate. No licensed crematory manager shall

19

engage in the activities of a crematory manager without being

20

employed by, or without being a sole proprietor, partner or

21

corporate officer of a licensed crematory.

22

(3)  A violation of any other provision of this act

23

constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree or a civil

24

penalty up to $10,000.

25

(4)  A person commits a felony of the second degree if he

26

takes or exercises unlawful control over a limb or other

27

portion of the anatomy removed from a person or human remains

28

without first obtaining the written consent of the

29

authorizing agent.

30

(c)  Actions against unlicensed crematory.--

<--

- 23 -

 


1

(1)  Whenever a license is required by this act to

2

maintain or operate a crematory, the department may maintain

3

an action in the name of the Commonwealth for an injunction

4

or other process restraining or prohibiting any person from

5

establishing, conducting or operating any unlicensed

6

crematory.

7

(2)  Should a person who is refused a license or the

8

renewal of a license to operate or conduct a crematory, or

9

whose license to operate or conduct a crematory is suspended

10

or revoked, fail to appeal, or should such appeal be decided

11

finally favorable to the department, then the court shall

12

issue a permanent injunction upon proof that the person is

13

operating or conducting a crematory without a license as

14

required by this act.

15

(d)  Actions against violations of law, rules and

16

regulations.--

17

(1)  Whenever any person, regardless of whether the

18

person is a licensee, has violated any of the provisions of

19

this act or the regulations issued under this act, the

20

department may maintain an action in the name of the

21

Commonwealth for an injunction or other process restraining

22

or prohibiting the person from engaging in such activity.

23

(2)  Any person, regardless of whether the person is a

24

licensee, who has committed a violation of any of the

25

provisions of this act or of any rule or regulation issued

26

under this act, including failure to correct a serious

27

licensure violation, as defined by regulation, within the

28

time specified in a deficiency citation, may be assessed a

29

civil penalty by an order of the department of up to $500 for

30

a first violation and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations

- 24 -

 


1

for each deficiency for each day that each deficiency

2

continues. Civil penalties shall be collected from the date

3

the crematory receives notice of the violation until the

4

department confirms correction of the violation.

5

(3)  When all other sources of funding have been

6

exhausted, the department shall apply funds collected as a

7

result of the assessment of a civil penalty to the protection

8

of the health or property of residents of this Commonwealth.

9

Funds may be utilized to:

10

(i)  Provide payment to temporary management.

11

(ii)  Maintain the operation of the crematory pending

12

correction of deficiencies or closure.

13

(e)  Closure for threat to health or safety.--Whenever the

14

department determines that deficiencies pose an immediate and

15

serious threat to the health or safety of residents of this

16

Commonwealth near the crematory, the department may direct the

17

closure of the crematory and the transfer of cremated remains to

18

other licensed crematories.

19

Section 14.  Preneed cremation arrangements.

20

(a)  General rule.--Any preneed contract sold by or preneed

21

arrangements made with a funeral establishment that includes a

22

cremation shall specify the ultimate disposition of the cremated

23

remains if known and that portion of the agreement shall be

24

initialed by the individual making the arrangements. In the

25

event no additional or different instructions are provided to

26

the funeral establishment by the authorizing agent at the time

27

of death, the funeral establishment and the crematory licensee

28

shall be authorized to release or dispose of the cremated

29

remains as indicated in the preneed agreement. Upon compliance

30

with the terms of that preneed agreement, the funeral

- 25 -

 


1

establishment shall be released from any liability concerning

2

the disposition of the cremated remains.

3

(b)  Specific provisions.--

4

(1)  Any person on his or her own behalf, as the

5

authorizing agent, shall execute a cremation authorization

6

form on a preneed basis. The individual or authorizing agent

7

shall have the right to transfer the arrangements for such

8

cremation or cancel this authorization at any time prior to

9

death by rescinding the executed cremation authorization form

10

in writing and providing written notice to funeral

<--

11

establishment.

12

(2)  At the time of the death of a person who has

13

executed, as the authorizing agent, a cremation authorization

14

form on a preneed basis, any person in possession of an

15

executed form and any person charged with making arrangements

16

for the final disposition of the decedent who has knowledge

17

of the existence of an executed form shall use their best

18

efforts to ensure that the decedent is cremated and that the

19

final disposition of the cremated remains is in accordance

20

with the instructions contained on the cremation

21

authorization form. If a crematory licensee is in possession

22

of a completed cremation authorization form that was executed

23

on a preneed basis, is in possession of the designated human

24

remains, the crematory licensee shall be required to cremate

25

the human remains and dispose of the cremated remains

26

according to the instructions contained on the cremation

27

authorization form and may do so without any liability.

28

Section 15.  Crematory Regulation Fund.

<--

29

(a)  Fund established.--The Crematory Regulation Fund is

30

established as a restricted account within the General Fund.

- 26 -

 


1

(b)  Disposition of moneys.--All fees, fines and civil

2

penalties collected in accordance with this act shall be paid

3

into the Crematory Regulation Fund and are hereby appropriated

4

to the Department of Health for use in the performance of its

5

duties under this act.

6

Section 16.  Initial applications.

7

Applications for licensure under this act shall be accepted

8

by the department beginning within 12 months of the effective

9

date of this section.

10

Section 30.  Effective date.

11

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

<--

12

This act shall take effect as follows:

<--

13

(1)  Section 13(c) shall take effect in 18 months.

14

(2)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60

15

days.

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