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History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
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Provides alternative pricing methods in the sale and offering of funeral merchandise and services; provides for the repeal after one year
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5627
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the alternative pricing methods in the sale and offering of funeral merchandise and services; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
Purpose
The purpose of this legislation is to enact a one-year study for package pricing methods for funerals and funeral services and require the Consumer Protection Board to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the implementation of package pricing in New York State.
Summary of provisions
This bill would enact a one-year study that would amend the public health law to authorize funeral directors to provide price information to consumers in a package format in addition to the current required item pricing list. Monuments and memorials as defined in paragraph (b) of section 454 of the General Business Law would be exempt from the provisions of this Act.
Additionally, the Consumer Protection Board shall, within one year, study the effectiveness of this act and present its findings in a report to the Governor and the Legislature.
Justification
Forty-nine states and the Federal Trade Commission recognize and allow funeral directors to offer package funeral services to all consumers. Only New York State restricts pricing information solely to an itemized list for consumers other than members of not-for-profit corporations.
This bill would enact a one-year study of package pricing in New York State. The Consumer Protection Board would be required to review any complaints or issues relating to the implementation of package pricing and report the findings to the Governor and the Legislature within one year.
This legislation would also direct the Health Commissioner to develop and implement rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of package pricing. Under this proposal a consumer would be allowed to choose from a list of itemized services or from a package of services.
This bill would simply allow consumers to have an opportunity to choose only the specific itemized services they need or desire or to choose additional services at a package price. Consumer protection would be maintained as any funeral home that would offer package pricing must also provide customers the option to purchase goods and services on an itemized basis. Monuments and memorials would be exempt from this Act.
All regulations of the Department of Health as well as the Federal Trade Commission regarding consumer protection would be maintained
Legislative history
Similar legislation introduced in 2004 A.10986/S.7237.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
60 days after enactment and shall be repealed in one year.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.