SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3465

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 7, 2019

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3465.

      This bill revises and updates the requirements for licensure to engage in the practice of mortuary science, and more specifically, the examination requirements.  Currently, among other requirements, applicants for licensure must pass a written examination conducted by the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey to determine their qualifications and fitness for licensure.

      Under this bill, an entity other than the board is permitted to conduct the examination for licensure. The bill establishes that an examination conducted by an entity other than the board shall be preapproved by the board and conducted by a nationally recognized testing service that is under contract with the regulatory boards of at least three other states to provide testing and grading in the field of funeral service arts and funeral service science.

      The bill also removes the requirement for an examination concerning the signs of death and manner in which death may be determined, because those determinations are reserved for specific medical professionals.

      The bill adds to the examination requirements testing on applicable New Jersey law, rules and regulations governing cremation and other disposition of dead human bodies, including those dead as a result of contagious and infectious diseases.

      The bill modifies the requirement that the examination be completed solely through written means. Recognizing that technology now allows for the modernization of examination delivery and completion, it allows an applicant for licensure to complete the required examination via electronic or written means.

      The bill deletes an outdated reference to trainees registered prior to an earlier amendment to the law.

      Lastly, the bill establishes that an individual duly licensed to engage in the practice of mortuary science pursuant to P.L.1952, c.340 (C.45:7-32 et seq.) at the time of application for the biennial renewal registration occurring after the enactment of this bill, and any subsequent renewal, shall be presumed to have successfully passed all required examinations notwithstanding any adverse action with regard to examination scores that occurred after the initial application for licensure had been approved unless the board determines, after providing the applicant due notice and an opportunity to be heard, that the applicant fraudulently obtained a license or authorization to sit for examination.