SECTIONS 7600-7610 - California Statutes

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE

SECTION 7600-7610

7600. This chapter of the Business and Professions Code constitutes
the chapter on funeral directors and embalmers. It may be cited as
the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Law.

7601. The following terms as used in this chapter shall have
meanings expressed in this section:
(a) "Department" means the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(b) "Director" means the Director of Consumer Affairs.
(c) "Bureau" means the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.

7601.1. Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for
the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau in exercising its licensing,
regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of
the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be
promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

7602. There is in the department the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau,
under the supervision and control of the director.
The director may appoint a chief at a salary to be fixed and
determined by the director, with the approval of the Director of
Finance. The duty of enforcing and administering this chapter is
vested in the chief, and he or she is responsible to the director
therefor. The chief shall serve at the pleasure of the director.
Every power granted or duty imposed upon the director under this
chapter may be exercised or performed in the name of the director by
a deputy director or by the chief, subject to such conditions and
limitations as the director may prescribe.

7606. The bureau may, pursuant to the provisions of the
Administrative Procedure Act, adopt and enforce reasonably necessary
rules and regulations relating to:
(a) The practice of embalming.
(b) The business of a funeral director.
(c) The sanitary conditions of places where such practice or
business is conducted with particular regard to plumbing, sewage,
ventilation and equipment.
(d) Specifying conditions for approval of funeral establishments
for apprentices and for approval of mortuary science programs.
(e) The scope of examinations.
(f) Carrying out generally the various provisions of this chapter
for the protection of the peace, health, safety, welfare and morals
of the public.

7607. The bureau may inspect the premises in which the business of
a funeral director is conducted, where embalming is practiced, or
where human remains are stored.

7608. The Director of Consumer Affairs may employ and appoint all
employees necessary to properly administer the work of the bureau, in
accordance with civil service regulations.
With the approval of the Director of Finance, and, subject to the
provisions of Section 159.5, the bureau shall employ investigators
and attorneys to assist the bureau in prosecuting violations of this
chapter, whose compensation and expenses shall be payable only out of
the State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Fund.

7609. This chapter does not apply to, or in any way interfere with,
the duties of any officer of any public institution or of any duly
accredited medical college, nor does it apply to any hospital
licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of
Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, anyone engaged only in the
furnishing of burial receptacles, or anyone engaged in the operation
of a cemetery solely for the interment of human dead.

7610. All suits or actions commenced in the superior court against
the bureau shall be filed and tried either in the County of
Sacramento, or in the county of the residence of the plaintiff or
petitioner, or in the county where the act occurred, which is the
basis of the suit or action.