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FloridaSB 5982026SenateWALLET

Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services

Sponsored By: Keith L. Truenow (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationBanking and InsuranceAppropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General GovernmentFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

No exclusive funeral deals with care facilities

Beginning July 1, 2026, funeral, cremation, refrigeration, and removal licensees and their affiliates may not sign contracts that make them the only provider for hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, or other end‑of‑life care providers. This keeps facilities and families free to choose among different providers.

Stricter rules for cemetery land and sales

Beginning July 1, 2026, new cemeteries must have at least 30 contiguous acres. Parcels split only by a public road can count as contiguous if close and unified. Licensees may sell land over the 30‑acre minimum only with written approval, after moving any remains, and after any sold burial rights are returned to the licensee. A religious‑institution cemetery that affiliates with a commercial business must meet these cemetery requirements.

Life insurance rules for children under 15

Beginning July 1, 2026, a life insurance policy generally needs the insured person’s written consent. An exception lets someone with an insurable interest, or a person who supports a child under 15, buy a policy on that child. This exception does not apply to prepaid funeral contracts and some group policies.

Easier paths to funeral internships

Beginning July 1, 2026, students can qualify for a funeral director intern license before finishing all schooling. You must have an associate degree or be enrolled in an approved mortuary or funeral service arts program, and pass college courses in mortuary or funeral law and ethics. For a combination funeral director/embalmer internship, you can qualify with an associate degree or by completing at least 75% of an ABFSE‑accredited program, plus passing law and ethics courses.

Clear timelines for remains and preneed money

Beginning July 1, 2026, a licensed provider may dispose of human remains after 90 days in its lawful care if the legally authorized person does not act. Funeral homes must wait 120 days after cremation before disposing of unclaimed cremated remains. Allowed methods include scattering at sea, a cemetery scattering garden or pond, a church columbarium, or as set by rule. Trustees of preneed funds must send tracked notices and do a diligent address search. If there is no response within 120 days after the last mailed notice, the trust money is distributed by the contract and law.

New exams, simpler license transfers

Beginning July 1, 2026, applicants for embalmer and funeral director endorsement licenses must pass a Florida laws-and-rules exam on handling human remains. The licensing authority gives this exam. For a combination funeral director/embalmer endorsement, applicants only need the education and tests named in law; no extra schooling or exams are added.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Keith L. Truenow

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Banking and Insurance

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 287 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 104 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 111 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

Banking and Insurance Vote

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. • Chapter No. 2026-50

    4/24/2026

  2. • Approved by Governor

    4/23/2026

  3. • Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    4/21/2026

  4. • Ordered enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. • In Messages • Added to Senate Message List • Amendment 692383 Recede • CS passed; YEAS 104, NAYS 0

    3/12/2026House

  6. • Refused to concur, requested House to recede -SJ 842

    3/12/2026Senate

  7. • In returning messages

    3/10/2026Senate

  8. • Read 2nd time • Amendment 692383 adopted • Added to Third Reading Calendar • Read 3rd time • CS passed as amended; YEAS 111, NAYS 0

    3/10/2026House

  9. • Bill referred to House Calendar • Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026) • 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    3/9/2026House

  10. • In Messages

    3/4/2026House

  11. • Read 2nd time -SJ 515 • Read 3rd time -SJ 515 • CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 515

    3/4/2026Senate

  12. • Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading • Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. • Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 18 NAYS 0

    3/2/2026Senate

  14. • Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute) • Now in Fiscal Policy • On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building • CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government read 1st time

    2/26/2026Senate

  15. • CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 8 NAYS 0

    2/25/2026Senate

  16. • On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 02/25/26, 1:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

    2/20/2026Senate

  17. • CS by Banking and Insurance read 1st time

    2/18/2026Senate

  18. • Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute) • Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

    2/12/2026Senate

  19. • CS by Banking and Insurance; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

    2/11/2026Senate

  20. • On Committee agenda-- Banking and Insurance, 02/11/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

    2/6/2026Senate

  21. • Introduced

    1/13/2026Senate

  22. • Referred to Banking and Insurance; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy

    12/9/2025Senate

  23. • Filed

    11/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

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