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Until
the budget is passed, nothing else is likely to happen. When the budget
battle is over, the committees will get back to work on the following
bills:
AB
1139, Thomson: Death Certificates
This bill would require that a certificate of death include
information indicating whether the decedent was pregnant at the time of
death or within the year prior to the death.
Status: In the Judiciary Committee
AB
2031, Canciamilla: Funeral Processions
This bill amends the Vehicle Code to permit local authorities to issue
an identification card and badge to someone directing traffic for a
funeral procession. It requires that a city and county government
authority (in an area where the population exceeds 100,000) authorize
the regulation of traffic for a funeral procession, including that:
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Each
funeral escort be identified with a card, patch or badge authorizing
them to direct traffic;
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Each
vehicle in the funeral procession be clearly marked with a funeral
sticker and have headlights activated;
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There
be one funeral escort for every 12 cars; and
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That
funeral escorts receive at least 30 hours of formal training.
Background:
This bill extends legislation passed in 1998 that piloted these
requirements in LA County.
AB
2031 continues the program and makes it permanent statewide.
Status: In Senate Transportation Committee
AB
2550, Nation: Electronic Death Registration
This bill would require that on or before January 1, 2005, the CA
Department of Health Services would implement an electronic death
registration service.
Sponsor: CFDA
Status: Bill set for hearing in Senate Judiciary Committee, August 6
SB
17, Figueroa: Cemeteries, Human remains
This bill would:
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Require
all cemeteries for which a certificate of authority is required and
all crematories that are licensed, to be supervised by a manager
that has passed a written examination;
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Require
the bureau to inspect the books, records, and premises of any
cemetery for which a certificate of authority from the bureau is
required including access to all books, records, buildings,
mausoleums, columbariums, and storage areas during specified times;
and
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Require
that the bureau conduct at least one annual unannounced inspection
of a cemetery for which a certificate of authority is required.
This
bill would prohibit a person from engaging in the business of, acting
as, or advertising as, a cemetery or crematory manager without a license
from the bureau.
The
bill redefines the penalty as greater than a misdemeanor by specifying
that punishment be up to one year in county jail and/or up to $10,000:
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For
depositing or disposing of human remains except in a cemetery;
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For
failing to intern a corpse within a reasonable period;
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For
failing to furnish or to furnishing false information affecting
specified certificates or records; and
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To
willfully alter or knowingly possess altered documents or to falsify
a birth certificate, death certificate, or marriage certificate.
Status:
Bill is in Assembly Appropriations Committee
SB
1455, Johannessen: Northern CA Veterans Cemetery
This bill increases the amount of the grant that the State of CA may
apply for from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to $7 million
from $6 million.
Status: In Assembly Appropriations Committee with hearing set for August
7
SB
1457, McPherson: Central Coast Veterans Cemetery
This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to work with
the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to design develop and construct
a state-owned and state-operated Central Coast Veteran Cemetery to be
located at the former Fort Ord.
Status: In Assembly Committee on Appropriations
SB
1952, Figueroa: Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
This bill implements the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Sunset
Review Committee. The bill would:
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Require
the cemetery to provide a copy of the consumer guide prior to
drafting a contract with the consumer;
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Increase
the delinquency fee for failure to renew a cemetery or crematory
license by 150%;
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Require
exempt funeral establishments to file an annual declaration of
non-reporting status;
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Require
the bureau to conduct a study on the need to regulate 3rd party
casket retailers;
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Require
the bureau to conduct a study on the need for regulation of
proprietary employees of religious corporations, churches, religious
societies and religious denominations; and
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Change
the examination fee from the Bureaus’ actual costs to no more than
$500 for the crematory manager exam and $900 for the cemetery
manager exam.
Status:
In Assembly Committee on Appropriations
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