To Amend The Law Concerning The State Board Of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, And Burial Services; And To Increase The Civil Penalty For Violations By A Licensee.
Summary
HB1856 amends Arkansas law governing the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services. The bill changes the board’s enforcement authority by increasing the maximum civil penalty it may impose on a licensee for violating applicable laws, board rules, or board orders from $500 to $1,000 per violation.
The measure is narrowly focused on professional regulation in the funeral and burial services industry. It does not create new licensing requirements or change the board’s core structure; instead, it strengthens the board’s existing disciplinary tools by allowing larger monetary penalties when licensees fail to comply with governing standards.
Impact
The bill would directly amend Arkansas Code § 23-61-1103(a)(6), increasing the civil penalty ceiling available to the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services. As a result, funeral directors, embalmers, cemetery operators, and other licensed entities under the board’s jurisdiction could face higher financial consequences for violations, while the board would gain greater leverage in enforcement actions. The change affects administrative penalty authority rather than criminal sanctions or licensing eligibility.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes, the available record suggests a straightforward regulatory measure with no documented controversy in the provided materials. The bill’s purpose appears to be administrative and enforcement-oriented, and its framing indicates support for stronger oversight of licensed funeral and burial service providers. No opposing arguments or amendments are reflected in the supplied context.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided committee transcripts or voting history, so there is no recorded disagreement to attribute to any individual or group. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely involve whether doubling the penalty cap is necessary or whether it could impose excessive financial burdens on licensed professionals and businesses. However, those concerns are not evidenced in the materials supplied here.