Relating to the licensure of crematory operators and funeral establishments, and making penalties applicable

Sponsored by the Senate State Government Committee, Sen. Annette Sweeney (R)

Topics:State government

Same legislation: SF 198

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

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Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 4, 2025
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 5, 2025
Done: Senate committeeMarch 6, 2025
Done: Passes the SenateMarch 4, 202645–0
Done: House committeeMarch 18, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseMarch 24, 202689–7
Done: To the GovernorMay 5, 2026
Done: Signed into lawJune 2, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill relates to the licensure of crematory operators and funeral establishments. The bill requires the board of mortuary science (board) to adopt rules for the licensure of crematory operators, which shall require an applicant to complete a specialized course in cremation from a nationally recognized organization. The bill also requires the board to grant a crematory operator license to a funeral director who submits an application to the board. The bill allows a person licensed as a crematory operator or funeral director to operate a cremation establishment but requires a person who operates a funeral establishment to be licensed as a funeral director.

Read the full explanation

The bill makes conforming changes by making prohibitions and penalties that currently apply to funeral directors also apply to crematory operators. The bill makes the payment of anything of value to secure business for a crematory operator a simple misdemeanor. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. A person who falsely makes an affidavit in the application for a crematory establishment license is subject to all penalties prescribed for making a false affidavit.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text · What changed before it passed

House subcommittee

Named March 10, 2026. On March 12, 2026 it recommended passage.

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Iowa Code it changes

Creates§156.6

Amends§156.1 §156.12 §156.14 §156.15 §156.9

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Lobbying

1 for · 0 against · 4 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

91st General Assembly

SF 198Renumbered SF 563Became lawfrom SF 198

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.