Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

February 19, 2026

 

S. 583

 

Introduced by Senators Davis, Massey and Johnson

 

S. Printed 2/19/26--H.

Read the first time May 1, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on House Labor, Commerce and Industry

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 583) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 40-19-250, relating to continuing education hours required for licensees of the Board of Funeral Examiners, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

 

   Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 2 and inserting:

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governoron July 1, 2026.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

WILLIAM HERBKERSMAN for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill revises a physical attendance requirement for continuing education hours for licensees of the Board of Funeral Examiners by requiring physical attendance for two of the four hours. This bill defines physical attendance as being physically present at the location where instruction is provided, explicitly excluding virtual or other remote formats. 

LLR does not anticipate the bill will have an expenditure impact on the agency or the Board. LLR notes that the agency nor the Board directly provide continuing education to licensees, and this bill will not alter responsibilities of the agency or the Board. LLR further indicated that the Board operates using Other Funds collected through licensure fees, and the current cash balance suggests a fee increase may be needed if its responsibilities expand.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 40-19-250, RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS REQUIRED FOR LICENSEES OF THE BOARD OF FUNERAL EXAMINERS, SO AS TO REVISE PHYSICAL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION INSTRUCTION, AND TO DEFINE "PHYSICAL ATTENDANCE."

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 40-19-250 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 40-19-250. (A) The board shall develop in regulation a continuing education program and each licensee must attend a minimum of four credit hours annually, of which one credit hour must be an ethics in funeral service course.  This continuing education program must be offered, at a minimum, four times a year at locations easily accessible to participants.  Three of the four required hours must be available through correspondence courses, with at least two of the four hours requiring the physical attendance of the licensee.Physical attendance of a licensee is required for two of the four required hours but is not required for the remaining two required hours.  

    (B) For purposes of this section, "physical attendance":

        (1) means being physically present in person on the site of a designated physical location to receive continuing education instruction; and

        (2) excludes virtual, remote, correspondence, or other instructional formats that do not satisfy the requirements of item (1).

    (C) This continuing education requirement does not apply to a person who is not the manager of record of a funeral home, funeral establishment, or mortuary if the person has been licensed for thirty or more years and is sixty years old or older.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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