House Bill 1151

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ESTABLISHMENTS SELLING CASKETS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE; TO REQUIRE ESTABLISHMENTS SELLING CASKETS TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH CERTAIN INFORMATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Every establishment selling caskets where the seller delivers the casket at the time of the execution of the contract or upon final payment, should the payment be made in installments, shall be registered with and regulated by the State Board of Funeral Service of the State of Mississippi. Such establishments shall:

(a) Furnish the consumer with a price list of all caskets available from the establishment from the lowest price to the highest price and state on any contract with the consumer the fee that shall be charged for delivery of the casket;

(b) Coordinate the delivery of the casket with a funeral home or other receiving party;

(c) Provide warranty information to the consumer or, if there is no warranty, inform the consumer that there is no warranty;

(d) Provide the name of the manufacturer of the casket to the consumer; and

(e) Provide the consumer with an itemized bill, which bill must be signed by the consumer and kept by the establishment selling the casket for a period of at least three (3) years from the date of sale.

(2) The State Board of Funeral Service shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.