Article 6.5 - Crematories

California Business and Professions Code — §§ 7712-7713.4

Sections (17)

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

A crematory established, operated, or maintained, may be operated by a corporation, partnership, or natural person, provided that a valid crematory license shall have been issued by the bureau.

§ 7712.1

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 206, Sec. 1. (AB 1560) Effective January 1, 2024.

(a)Any change in the ownership of a crematory shall be reported to the bureau.

(b)Any transfer in a single transaction or a related series of transactions of more than 50 percent of the equitable interest in a licensed crematory shall constitute a change of ownership.

(c)When a change of ownership in a crematory occurs, all of the following apply:

(1)The new owner may submit an application to assign the crematory license.

(2)If the new owner submits an application pursuant to paragraph (1), the new owner shall submit the application at least 30 days before the change of ownership occurs.

(3)If the new owner submits an application pursuant to paragraph (1), the new owner shall pay the fee described in subdivision (b) of Section 7712.9.

(4)If the new owner submits an application pursuant to paragraph (1), the bureau shall approve or disapprove the application.

(5)If the new owner submits an application pursuant to paragraph (1), the bureau may approve the application prior to the date of the final sale.

(d)(1) Within 10 days after a sale of a crematory is final, the new owner shall

submit to the bureau a copy of the final sales agreement.

(2)Within 60 days after a sale of a crematory is final, the new owner shall submit to the bureau proof that any required permit to operate the crematory issued by a local air pollution control district has been assigned to the new owner.

(3)A failure to comply with paragraph (1) or (2) shall constitute a ground for a disciplinary action.

(e)The bureau shall not require an applicant under this section to obtain any new permit or license from any other governmental agency when the existing permit or license is valid.

§ 7712.2

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

Application for a crematory license shall be made in writing on the form prescribed by the bureau and filed at the principal office of the bureau. The application shall be accompanied by the fee provided for in this article and shall show that the applicant owns or is actively operating a crematory in this state or that the applicant is in a position to commence operating such a crematory.

§ 7712.3

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

The provisions of Article 5 (commencing with Section 8341) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 8 of the Health and Safety Code shall apply to crematories licensed under this chapter.

§ 7712.4

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

The bureau may require such proof as it deems advisable concerning the compliance by such applicant with all the laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and orders applicable to the applicant and shall not issue such crematory license until it has satisfied itself that the public interest will be served by such applicant.

§ 7712.5

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 625, Sec. 45. (SB 1443) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)The bureau shall adopt, and may from time to time amend, rules and regulations prescribing standards of knowledge and experience and financial responsibility for applicants for a crematory license. In reviewing an application for a crematory license, the bureau may consider acts of the applicant, including acts of incorporators, officers, directors, and stockholders of the applicant, which shall constitute grounds for the denial of a crematory license under Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).

(b)Upon receipt of an application for a crematory license, the bureau may cause an investigation to be made of the physical status, plans, specifications, and financing of the proposed crematory, the character of the applicant, including, if applicable, its

officers, directors, shareholders, or members, and any other qualifications required of the applicant under this article, and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony.

(c)At the time of the filing of the application required by this article, the applicant shall pay to the Cemetery and Funeral Fund the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) to defray the expenses of investigation. In the event the sum shall be insufficient to defray all of the expenses, the applicant shall, within five days after request therefor, deposit an additional sum sufficient to defray such expenses, provided that the total sum shall not exceed nine hundred dollars ($900).

§ 7712.6

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

A crematory licensee under this article shall not conduct any cremations:

(a)Unless the licensee has a written contract with the person or persons entitled to custody of the remains clearly stating the location, manner, and time of disposition to be made of the remains, agreeing to pay the regular fees of the licensee for cremation, disposition, and other services rendered, and any other contractual provisions as may be required by the bureau.

(b)Of any remains more than 24 hours after delivery of the remains, unless the remains have been preserved in the interim

by refrigeration or embalming.

(c)Unless the licensee has a contractual relationship with a licensed cemetery authority for final disposition of cremated human remains by burial, entombment, or inurnment of any and all remains which are not lawfully disposed of or which are not called for or accepted by the person or persons entitled to the custody and control of the disposition thereof within 90 days of the date of death.

§ 7712.7

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

Every crematory licensee, who prohibits relatives or the responsible party from viewing the cremation process, shall disclose this fact in writing to the person or persons entitled to custody of the remains prior to the signing of any contract.

§ 7712.8

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

Each crematory licensee shall keep such records as may be required by the bureau to ensure compliance with all laws relating to the disposition of cremated human remains and shall file annually with the bureau, a report in the form prescribed by the bureau, describing the operations of the licensee, including the number of cremations made, the disposition thereof, and any other information as the bureau may, from time to time, require.

§ 7712.9

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 206, Sec. 2. (AB 1560) Effective January 1, 2024.

(a)Every crematory licensee operating a crematory pursuant to a license issued in compliance with this article shall pay an annual regulatory charge for each crematory of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). In addition to an annual regulatory charge for each crematory, every licensee operating a crematory pursuant to a license issued pursuant to this article shall pay an additional charge of eleven dollars and fifty cents ($11.50) per cremation made during the preceding quarter, which charges shall be deposited in the Cemetery and Funeral Fund.

(b)The fee to assign a

crematory license shall be seven hundred fifty dollars ($750), paid by the proposed assignee, and deposited in the Cemetery and Funeral Fund.

§ 7712.10

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

(a)Each crematory for which a crematory license is required shall be operated under the supervision of a manager qualified in accordance with rules adopted by the bureau. Each manager shall be required to successfully pass a written examination evidencing an understanding of the applicable provisions of this code and of the Health and Safety Code.

(b)A person shall not engage in the business of, act in the capacity of, or advertise or assume to act as, a crematory manager without first obtaining a license from the bureau.

§ 7712.11

Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 846, Sec. 25. (AB 967) Effective January 1, 2018. Section operative July 1, 2020, by its own provisions.

(a)Each hydrolysis facility for which a hydrolysis facility license is required shall be operated under the supervision of a manager qualified in accordance with rules adopted by the bureau. A licensed crematory manager may be designated as a hydrolysis facility manager with appropriate certification upon demonstrating an understanding of the applicable provisions of this code and of the Health and Safety Code, as determined by the bureau.

(b)A person shall not engage in the business of, act in the capacity of, or advertise or assume to act as, a hydrolysis facility manager without a valid crematory manager license and obtaining a certification from the bureau.

(c)This section shall become

operative on July 1, 2020.

§ 7713

Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 573, Sec. 42. (SB 800) Effective January 1, 2018.

A crematory shall at all times employ a licensed crematory manager to manage, supervise, and direct its operations.

(a)Every crematory shall designate a licensed crematory manager to manage the crematory, and shall report the designation to the bureau within 10 days of the effective date. Any change in the designated manager shall be reported to the bureau within 10 days. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, licensed crematories within close geographical proximity of each other may request the bureau to allow a licensed crematory manager to manage, supervise, and direct the business or profession of more than one facility.

(b)The designated crematory manager shall be responsible for exercising direct supervision and control over the operations, employees, and agents of the crematory as is necessary to ensure full compliance with the applicable provisions of this code, the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations adopted thereto. Failure of the designated crematory manager or the licensed crematory to exercise that supervision or control shall constitute a ground for disciplinary action.

(c)A crematory may employ, in addition to the designated crematory manager, additional licensed crematory managers. However, only one licensed crematory manager may be appointed as the designated crematory manager of the crematory.

§ 7713.1

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

(a)Application for a crematory manager license shall be made in writing on the form provided by the bureau, verified by the applicant and filed at the principal office of the bureau. The application shall be accompanied by the fee fixed by this chapter.

(b)The applicant for a crematory manager license shall be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, shall not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480, shall demonstrate compliance with the training and experience requirements established by the bureau, and shall be a

resident of

this state.

(c)The bureau shall grant a crematory manager license to any applicant who meets the requirements of this chapter and who has successfully passed the crematory manager examination administered by the bureau.

§ 7713.2

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

(a)A person shall not engage in or conduct, or hold himself or herself out as engaging in or conducting, the activities of a crematory manager without holding a valid, unexpired crematory manager license issued by the bureau.

(b)A licensed crematory manager shall not engage in or conduct, or hold himself or herself out as engaging in or conducting, the activities of a crematory manager without being employed by, or without being a sole proprietor, partner, or corporate officer of, a licensed crematory.

§ 7713.3

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

It is a misdemeanor for any person, firm, or corporation to cremate human remains or to engage in the disposition thereof without a valid, unexpired crematory license. Each cremation shall be a separate violation.

§ 7713.4

Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 395, Sec. 35. (AB 180) Effective January 1, 2016.

A crematory licensee shall be subject to and shall be disciplined by the bureau in accordance with Article 6 (commencing with Section 7686).