HB 1464 -- FUNERAL MERCHANDISING PRACTICES (Ransdall)

This bill prohibits the sale of certain funeral merchandise
without a valid preneed funeral contract, signed by the seller
and purchaser, with exceptions for immediate need, for immediate
pickup by the customer, and for immediate delivery.  The bill
also prohibits sellers of funeral merchandise from holding
funeral merchandise for more than 30 days and from furnishing
any document redeemable for funeral merchandise instead of
providing merchandise for immediate use.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1464 -- FUNERAL MERCHANDISING PRACTICES

CO-SPONSORS:  Ransdall, Graham (24)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Consumer
Protection and Housing by a vote of 17 to 3.

This bill prohibits the sale of certain funeral merchandise
without a valid preneed funeral contract, signed by the seller
and purchaser, with exceptions for immediate need, for immediate
pick up by the customer, and for immediate delivery.  The bill
also prohibits sellers of funeral merchandise from holding
funeral merchandise for more than 30 days and from furnishing
any document redeemable for funeral merchandise instead of
providing merchandise for immediate use.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill protects consumers
from funeral merchandise sellers who do not put the consumer's
money in trust to pay for the merchandise when the consumer
needs it.  Funeral directors are required by law to put the
money in trust so that they can supply the merchandise at the
time of need.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Ransdall,
Berkowitz, and Berkstresser; Missouri Funeral Directors
Association; and AARP.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the sellers
should be required to be licensed under the same chapter as
funeral directors.

Testifying against the bill were National Prearranged Services.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

HB 1464 -- Funeral Merchandising Practices

Co-Sponsors:  Ransdall, Graham (24)

This bill prohibits the sale of certain funeral merchandise
without a valid preneed funeral contract, signed by the seller
and purchaser, with exceptions for immediate need, for immediate
pick up by the customer, and for immediate delivery.  The bill
also prohibits sellers of funeral merchandise from holding
funeral merchandise for more than 30 days and from furnishing
any document redeemable for funeral merchandise instead of
providing merchandise for immediate use.