A bill to regulate Colorado funeral homes and crematoriums has passed the House of Representatives

DENVER, CO. Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to regulate Colorado funeral homes and crematories. The bill, HB24-1335, expands and adds provisions to the Mortuary Code to ensure that Colorado funeral homes and crematories are regularly inspected by a state agency. The bill HB24-1335 passed by a vote of 57 to 3.

"We need to make sure that funeral homes and crematoriums in our state are safe, well-maintained and following the law," said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. "This bipartisan legislation would expand and extend the Department of Regulatory Agencies' authority to inspect funeral homes and crematoriums. Colorado has been at the center of many egregious cases involving fabricated cremation records and mishandling of bodies. We need to make sure our funeral homes and crematories operate within the law - the public health and safety depends on it, and our loved ones deserve it."

The bill HB24-1335, also authored by Rep. Matt Soper, requires regular statewide inspections of funeral homes and crematories. This bill expands and continues certain sections of the Code of Mortuary Science in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which is scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2024. The bill also makes the following program changes:

Requires regular inspections of funeral homes and crematoriums, including after businesses have ceased operations

Allows inspections to be conducted outside of normal business hours

Expands rulemaking authority for DORA

Adds failure to respond to complaints as a basis for disciplinary action

Authorizes DORA to suspend the registrations of persons who fail to comply with orders resulting from a complaint or investigation

This act extends certain sections of the Mortuary Code for five years, until September 1, 2029.

In addition to HB24-1335, another bill making its way through the legislature (SB24-173) requires a license to practice as a funeral director, mortuary technician, embalmer, cremator, or natural recovery specialist.

In recent years, several funeral homes and operators in Colorado have been responsible for alarming cases of mishandling of human remains and bodies. These bills are intended to provide consistent regulation of the funeral home industry in Colorado to ensure the public's health and safety.