HF 1036

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/30/2023 02:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; modifying requirements for mortuary science internships;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 149A.02, subdivision 26; 149A.20,
subdivisions 6, 7.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 149A.02, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

Subd. 26.

Intern.

"Intern" means an individual deleted text begin that deleted text end new text begin who: (1)(i) new text end has met the educational
and testing requirements for a license to practice mortuary science in Minnesota deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ; (ii) has
completed a mortuary science program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service
Education; or (iii) is enrolled in a mortuary science program accredited by the American
Board of Funeral Service Education; (2) new text end has registered with the commissioner of health deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ; new text end
and new text begin (3) new text end is engaged in the practice of mortuary science under the direction and supervision
of a currently licensed Minnesota mortuary science practitioner.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 149A.20, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Internship.

(a) A person deleted text begin who attains a passing score on both examinations in
subdivision 5 deleted text end must complete a registered internship under the direct supervision of an
individual currently licensed to practice mortuary science in Minnesota. deleted text begin Interns must file
with the commissioner: deleted text end new text begin A person may begin the registered internship while the person is
enrolled in a mortuary science program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service
Education, upon completion of the accredited mortuary science program, or after attaining
a passing score on both examinations in subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant for an internship must file with the commissioner:
new text end

(1) the appropriate fee; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(2) a registration form indicating the name and home address of the deleted text begin intern, deleted text end new text begin applicant; new text end
the date the internship begins deleted text begin , and deleted text end new text begin ; new text end the name, license number, and business address of the
new text begin primary new text end supervising mortuary science licensee deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and the name, license number, and business
address of the alternate supervising mortuary science licensee, if applicable; and
new text end

new text begin (3) if the applicant is currently enrolled in a mortuary science program accredited by
the American Board of Funeral Service Education, a letter from the program specifying the
name and address of the program; verifying the applicant's enrollment, number of credit
hours completed, and anticipated graduation date; and specifying whether the applicant has
completed coursework in embalming and restorative arts.
new text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Any changes in information provided in the registration must be immediately
reported to the commissioner. The internship shall be a minimum of 2,080 hours to be
completed deleted text begin within a three-year period, however, deleted text end new text begin during enrollment in a mortuary science
program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, after graduation,
or both during enrollment and after graduation. However, new text end the commissioner may waive up
to 520 hours of the internship time requirement upon satisfactory completion of a clinical
or practicum in mortuary science administered through the program of mortuary science of
the University of Minnesota or a deleted text begin substantially similar deleted text end new text begin mortuary science new text end program deleted text begin approved
by the commissioner deleted text end new text begin accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education new text end .
Registrations must be renewed on an annual basis if they exceed one calendar year. During
the internship period, the intern must be under the direct supervision of a person holding a
current license to practice mortuary science in Minnesota. An intern may be registered under
only one new text begin registered primary supervising new text end licensee new text begin and one registered alternate supervising
licensee new text end at any given time and may be directed and supervised only by the registered new text begin primary
supervising new text end licensee new text begin or registered alternate supervising licensee new text end . The registered new text begin primary
supervising new text end licensee shall have only one intern registered at any given time. The
commissioner shall issue to each registered intern a registration permit that must be displayed
with the other establishment and practice licenses. While under the direct supervision of
the new text begin registered primary supervising or alternate supervising new text end licensee, the intern must complete
25 case reports in each of the following areas: embalming, funeral arrangements, and services.
new text begin An intern who has not completed coursework in embalming and restorative arts must be in
the physical presence of the primary or alternate supervising licensee in order to perform
surgical procedures and embalming. new text end Case reports, on forms provided by the commissioner,
shall be completed by the intern and filed with the commissioner prior to the completion
of the internship. Information contained in these reports that identifies the subject or the
family of the subject embalmed or the subject or the family of the subject of the funeral
shall be classified as licensing data under section 13.41, subdivision 2.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 149A.20, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Application procedure and documentation.

After completing the registered
internship, the applicant for an initial license to practice mortuary science must submit to
the commissioner a complete application and the appropriate fee. A complete application
includes:

(1) a completed application form, as provided by the commissioner;

(2) proof of age;

(3) an official transcript from each post high school educational institution attended,
including colleges of funeral service education;

(4) certification of a passing score on the National Board Examination from the
commissioner of the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the United States,
Inc.;

(5) a copy of the notification of a passing score on the state licensing examination; and

(6) a signed, dated, and notarized affidavit from the new text begin registered primary supervising
new text end licensee who supervised the Minnesota internship stating the date the internship began and
ended and that both the applicant and the new text begin registered primary new text end supervising licensee fulfilled
the requirements under subdivision 6.

Upon receipt of the completed application and appropriate fee, the commissioner shall
review and verify all information. Upon completion of the verification process and resolution
of any deficiencies in the application information, the commissioner shall make a
determination, based on all the information available, to grant or deny licensure. If the
commissioner's determination is to grant licensure, the applicant shall be notified and the
license shall issue and remain valid for a period prescribed on the license, but not to exceed
one calendar year from the date of issuance of the license. If the commissioner's determination
is to deny licensure, the commissioner must notify the applicant, in writing, of the denial
and provide the specific reason for the denial.