# Maryland SB 0413: State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors - Board Operations and Regulation of Crematories and Reduction Facilities

Maryland SB 0413, State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors - Board Operations and Regulation of Crematories and Reduction Facilities, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Pamela Beidle (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-28 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 187) (as of 2026-10-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0413-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland SB 0413
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors - Board Operations and Regulation of Crematories and Reduction Facilities
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-29
- Last action: 2026-04-28, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 187
- Sponsor: Pamela Beidle (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Health Occupations, Business Regulation, Public Health, Accountants, Addresses, Applicants and Applications, Arbitration -see also- Mediation, Attorneys, Cemeteries, Certifications, Circuit Courts, Commerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc., Committee Changes, Committees and Commissions, Complaints, Consumer Protection, Contracts -see also- Procurement, Corporations -see also- Municipal Corps; Public Corps & Inst, Court Costs, Court Orders, Cremation, Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc., Discipline, Disclosure, Electronic Communication, Ethics, Evidence, Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & Taxes, Fines -see also- Penalties and Sentences, Forms, Fraud -see also- Forgery, Funerals, Goods and Services -see also- Retail Sales; TermnSvc; TrfGds, Hazardous and Toxic Substances -see also- Asbestos; Radiatn, Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc., Health Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations), Hearings, Inspections -see also- Motor Vehicle Inspection, Investigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd Invest, Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational Rehab, Laboratories, Labor, Department of, Liability, Limited Liability Companies, Medical Conditions -see also- AIDS; COVID-19; rabies, Morticians, Names, Notices, Oaths, Partnerships, Penalties and Sentences -see also- Death Penalty, Permits -see also- Building Permits, Personal Identifying Information, Postal Service, Privacy, Public Information, Records -see also- Land Records; Vital Records, Registration -see also- Motor Vehicle Registration, Reports, Revenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax), Rules and Regulations, Safety -see also- Occupational Safety, Settlement Procedures, Standards and Best Practices, Subpoenas, Time, Veterans, Weights and Measures
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 3 (213 yes, 1 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 15

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Current permits stay valid, easy reinstatement: benefit, medium. Existing crematory or reduction registrations and permits from the Office remain valid and can be renewed under the new law. If your permit expired, you can get it reinstated if you meet renewal rules, pay the reinstatement fee, and sign an affidavit that you did not operate while it was expired.
- Perpetual care for pet burial lots: benefit, low. If you buy a burial lot or burial right for a pet, the perpetual‑care duty still applies. This keeps protections for pet owners who buy cemetery space.
- Clear lines for funeral vs cremation work: benefit, low. Running a crematory or a reduction facility is not treated as funeral direction or mortuary science. Operators may use crematory and reduction titles in ads. The law defines a reduction facility as a place that holds the equipment for natural organic reduction. These rules make it clearer which lic…
- Less paperwork and fewer discipline risks: benefit, low. Permit applicants no longer need to submit two‑year sales‑contract counts. The Board cannot discipline you only for not following a settlement from binding arbitration. This trims paperwork and narrows one discipline trigger.
- Board oversight and reporting get stronger: benefit, low. On July 1, 2026, regulation of crematories and reduction facilities moves to the State Board. The Board must start yearly complaint reports in 2028. A stakeholder workgroup reviews the new rules, with a report due by December 31, 2026. Board governance shifts: a quorum is a majority of serving memb…
- Defines alkaline hydrolysis and remains: benefit, low. The law defines “alkaline hydrolysis” as reducing remains with water, alkaline chemicals, and heat in a sealed vessel. It also defines “hydrolyzed remains” as the bone fragments produced when that process is complete.
- Protection for unclaimed veteran cremains transfers: benefit, low. Funeral homes and crematories that in good faith transfer unclaimed cremated remains of a veteran or eligible dependent to a veterans service group are not civilly liable. The veterans service group is also protected when it accepts the remains in good faith.
- Who must register and hold permits: cost, medium. You may not operate or offer cremation or reduction services unless you are a registered operator. Most businesses must be a corporation, LLC, or partnership and hold a permit; a registered sole proprietor is the exception. You may not use titles like crematory operator or reduction operator unless…
- Stronger inspections and discipline for funeral homes: mixed, medium. The Board can inspect crematories and reduction facilities after a written complaint or on its own. Funeral home inspections are unannounced; the Board may give up to 14 days notice without a date or time. If there is a complaint or probation, staff must give immediate access to prep or storage are…
- Higher fines and updated court powers: mixed, medium. The Board can fine up to $10,000 per violation and up to $1,000 per day for ongoing violations. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Board can ask a court to stop a licensee from working and can seek a receiver to run an establishment during a serious case. The law also removes a prior power to get an immed…
- New registration rules for cremation and reduction: mixed, medium. The Board now regulates crematories and natural organic reduction facilities. You must register before you operate, be at least 18, be of good moral character, hold a recognized crematory operator certification, be affiliated with a permitted facility, and complete any Board training. You apply on…
- Safety and testing rules for reduction: mixed, medium. Natural organic reduction is banned for embalmed remains or for diseases and conditions like Creutzfeldt–Jakob, Ebola, tuberculosis, and radioisotopes. Operators must give written notice to the authorizing agent before starting reduction. Facilities must record that equipment hit Board‑set temperat…
- State Board now regulates cremation: mixed, medium. Maryland moves oversight of crematories and natural organic reduction facilities to the State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors. The governing rules now sit in the Health Occupations laws, and Title 5 no longer applies to running or owning these facilities. The Office of Cemetery Oversight…
- Changes to pre-need contracts and sellers: mixed, low. Crematory and reduction operators are removed from the statute’s list of named parties to pre‑need contracts. The law clarifies that pre‑need goods are burial goods sold before death and do not include burial space. Definitions change so pre‑need services are tied to burial, and more types of selle…
- Fee rules for crematories and reduction: mixed, low. The Board can set reasonable fees to cover its costs. The Board may not charge a fee for each cremation. A prior ban on the Office Director charging per‑cremation fees is removed because the Director no longer regulates these facilities.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Pamela Beidle (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-09 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 42 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026-04-08 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 132 | 1 | 3 |
| 2026-03-20 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 39 | 0 | 3 |

## Actions (21)

- 2026-04-28: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 187
- 2026-04-09: Passed Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-04-09: Third Reading Passed (42-0) (Senate)
- 2026-04-09: Senate Concurs House Amendments (Senate)
- 2026-04-08: Third Reading Passed (132-1) (House)
- 2026-04-03: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (House)
- 2026-04-03: Favorable with Amendments {263525/1 Adopted (House)
- 2026-04-03: Favorable with Amendments Report by Health (House)
- 2026-03-23: Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-03-21: Referred Health (House)
- 2026-03-20: Third Reading Passed (39-0) (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Floor Amendment {553427/1 (Senator Simonaire) Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Favorable with Amendments {713627/1 Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Motion Laid Over (Senator Simonaire) Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Favorable with Amendments {713627/1 (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Beidle) Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Favorable with Amendments {713627/1 (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate)
- 2026-01-29: First Reading Finance (Senate)

## Bill text

- Enacted, 2026-04-28: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_187_sb0413e.pdf)
- Enrolled, 2026-04-09: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0413e.pdf)
- Third Reading, 2026-03-19: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0413t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-01-29: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0413f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_187_sb0413e.pdf)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0413e.pdf)
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0413t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0413f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0413-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).