Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

HB 106
                      Department of Legislative Services
                              Maryland General Assembly
                                    2020 Session
                           FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                              Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 106              (Delegate Krebs, et al.)
Health and Government Operations       Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
      Health Occupations - Morticians and Funeral Directors - Apprenticeships
This emergency bill alters certain education requirements to obtain a mortician or funeral
director apprenticeship license. Before an individual appears before the State Board of
Morticians and Funeral Directors for approval of an apprentice license, the individual must
be enrolled in or have graduated from an approved mortuary science program with a
grade point average of 2.0 or higher. A licensed apprentice must remain enrolled in the
program for the duration of the apprenticeship, unless the apprentice graduates. An
apprentice must complete at least 1,000 working hours in a licensed funeral establishment
under the direct supervision of the apprentice sponsor. A licensed apprentice may spend up
to four years as a licensed apprentice before obtaining a mortician or funeral director
license, unless the board has approved an extension. An applicant for an apprentice license
and a licensed apprentice applying for renewal must submit a letter from the director of the
mortuary science program in which the applicant is enrolled that includes the seal of the
school and verifies that the applicant is actively enrolled in the program.
                                    Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State finances.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: Potential minimal.
                                         Analysis
Current Law/Background: The board must issue a mortician or funeral director license
to an applicant who (1) is of good moral character; (2) has completed no less than one year
and no more than two years of licensed apprenticeship, unless the board has allowed an
extension; (3) has met specified education requirements; (4) passed necessary
examinations; and (5) has submitted an application on board-required forms and paid the
required fee.
One of the requirements for licensure as a mortician or funeral director is the successful
completion of an apprenticeship. An individual must complete two-thirds of an approved
mortuary science program with a minimum 2.0 grade point average to be eligible for an
apprentice license. An applicant for an apprentice license must appear before the board
with the applicant’s sponsor. The sponsor must be (1) a licensed mortician (or funeral
director in the case of a funeral director apprentice) whose license is in good standing with
the board, and (2) employed by the same funeral establishment that employs the apprentice.
An apprentice may have more than one apprentice sponsor.
Once issued a license, an apprentice assists a licensed mortician or funeral director as part
of a training program. The apprentice must participate in at least 20 funerals and complete
1,000 working hours in a licensed funeral establishment under the direct supervision of the
apprentice sponsor. Prior to 1997, an apprenticeship encompassed the completion of
2,000 working hours in a funeral establishment. An apprentice who wishes to become a
licensed mortician must also assist in the preparation and embalming of at least 20 human
bodies under the direct supervision of the apprentice sponsor.
Upon termination of the sponsor-apprentice relationship, both the sponsor and apprentice
must notify the board in writing of the:
      sponsor-apprentice relationship termination date;
      name, date of death, date of service, and evidence of service for each decedent for
       whom a funeral service was conducted in which the apprentice participated; and
      name, date of death, date of preparation for disposition, and a copy of the decedent’s
       filed death certificate for each decedent for whom the apprentice assisted with
       preparation and embalming.
State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors
The State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors is responsible for credentialing,
examination, licensure, and discipline of morticians, funeral directors, corporations,
crematory operators, apprentices, surviving spouses, mortuary transport services,
transporters, courtesy card holders, and holders of an executor license in Maryland. The
board also licenses, permits, and inspects funeral establishments and specified crematories.
HB 106/ Page 2
In 2019, 32 individuals applied for an apprenticeship license. As of January 2020, there are
81 active apprentices.
                                Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File:       SB 439 (Senator Klausmeier) - Education, Health, and
Environmental Affairs.
Information Source(s): Maryland Department of Health; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History:      First Reader - January 27, 2020
rh/jc                     Third Reader - March 14, 2020
                                 Revised - Amendment(s) - March 14, 2020
Analysis by: Amberly Holcomb                           Direct Inquiries to:
                                                       (410) 946-5510
                                                       (301) 970-5510
HB 106/ Page 3
Statutes affected: 
Text - First - Health Occupations - Morticians and Funeral Directors - Apprenticeships: 7-306 Health Occupations
Text - Third - Health Occupations - Morticians and Funeral Directors - Apprenticeships: 7-303 Health Occupations, 7-306 Health Occupations