House Bill 1231 amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning the regulation of funeral and cemetery services, particularly focusing on direct disposal establishments. The bill prohibits new applications for direct disposer licenses and establishments after July 1, 2026, while allowing existing licensees to continue their operations. It introduces new licensing requirements, including the necessity for establishments to maintain a fixed location of at least 625 contiguous square feet dedicated to their business and to have appropriate facilities for the refrigeration and storage of deceased bodies. Additionally, the bill revises the licensure process for funeral director interns and specifies educational and testing requirements for embalmers and funeral directors.

The legislation also addresses cremation procedures by reducing the time frame for claiming cremated remains from 120 days to 90 days before a funeral or direct disposal establishment can dispose of them. It includes provisions for recognizing military-issued credentials for licensure and grants rulemaking authority to implement these changes. Overall, the bill aims to enhance regulatory oversight and consumer protection within the funeral and cemetery services industry in Florida, ensuring that licensed establishments can operate effectively under the new framework.

Statutes affected:
H 1231 Filed: 497.169, 497.263, 497.270, 497.369, 497.375, 497.377, 497.459, 497.602, 497.607, 627.404