The bill amends the Mortuary Science Act to better serve New Jersey's diverse population by creating two distinct licensure categories: Practitioner of Mortuary and Embalming Science and Practitioner of Mortuary Science. This change aims to reduce barriers for those who wish to practice non-embalming funeral services, addressing a shortage of mortuary practitioners that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also revises the structure of the State Board of Mortuary Science, abolishing the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, and updates examination requirements to streamline the licensure process, eliminating the necessity of completing the National Board Exam.

Additional amendments include new training requirements for applicants, such as two years of practical training as registered interns, and the establishment of rules for intern training by the State Board of Mortuary Science. The bill also addresses the licensing of out-of-state practitioners, sets conditions for mortuary operations, and prohibits solicitation in sensitive environments without prior request. Continuing education requirements for license renewal are introduced, along with provisions for reporting licensees to the State Department of Health and facilitating agreements with other states for body transportation and burial. The act is scheduled to take effect 18 months after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:7-34, 45:7-35, 45:7-38, 45:7-41, 45:7-43, 45:7-47, 45:7-48, 45:7-49, 45:7-49.1, 45:7-50, 45:7-59, 45:7-61, 45:7-65, 45:7-65.2, 45:7-65.3, 45:7-65.4, 45:7-72.1, 45:7-72.2, 45:7-73, 45:7-73.1
Advance Law: 45:7-34, 45:7-35, 45:7-38, 45:7-41, 45:7-43, 45:7-47, 45:7-48, 45:7-49, 45:7-49.1, 45:7-50, 45:7-59, 45:7-61, 45:7-65, 45:7-65.2, 45:7-65.3, 45:7-65.4, 45:7-72.1, 45:7-72.2, 45:7-73, 45:7-73.1, 45:7-95
Pamphlet Law: 45:7-34, 45:7-35, 45:7-38, 45:7-41, 45:7-43, 45:7-47, 45:7-48, 45:7-49, 45:7-49.1, 45:7-50, 45:7-59, 45:7-61, 45:7-65, 45:7-65.2, 45:7-65.3, 45:7-65.4, 45:7-72.1, 45:7-72.2, 45:7-73, 45:7-73.1, 45:7-95