BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 658
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 17, 2011

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                 SB 658 (Negrete McLeod) - As Amended:  July 7, 2011 

          Policy Committee:                              Business and 
          Professions  Vote:                            9 - 0 

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires, effective January 1, 2013, that all licensed 
          funeral establishments that maintain internet web sites post a 
          list of funeral goods and services that are included in their 
          general price list.  In addition, it requires funeral 
          establishments to establish a general price list that must be 
          made available to consumers. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Potential minor non-reimbursable local costs for investigation 
          and prosecution of violations, potentially offset by fine 
          revenue.

           COMMENTS  

           Rationale  . SB 658 seeks to update current law by ensuring that 
          if a cemetery or funeral establishment elects to have a web 
          site, the price information already required to be provided to 
          consumers by California and federal law when the consumer calls 
          or shows up in person are also posted on the establishment's 
          website. The author notes, "Consumers often have no experience 
          in this field when suddenly confronted with a need for these 
          services.  Knowing beforehand some of the terminology and types 
          of services available will help the consumer have a better 
          informed conversation with the cemetery or funeral 
          establishment."

          According to the sponsor, the Center for Public Interest Law, 
          "Ensuring that the pricing information cemeteries and funeral 
          establishments already have, are already required to provide 








                                                                  SB 658
                                                                  Page  2

          over the phone, and are already required to provide to anyone - 
          even their competitors - in person, is posted on their web sites 
          is a convenient and compassionate way to aid grieving consumers 
          make an informed choice about one of their most expensive 
          purchases during the most difficult time in their lives."


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916) 
          319-2081