Bills › 91st General Assembly
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 governmentProfessional licensing
Same legislation: SF 198
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
AI summary New rules would require people who run cremation businesses to complete a special training course from a recognized organization. While funeral directors can also get a license to operate a cremation business, anyone running a funeral home must be a licensed funeral director. The law also adds penalties for crematory operators who give gifts or money to get more business or who lie on their license applications.1
Read the official explanation
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. 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 30 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.
Why it matters. Crematory operators and funeral directors would be required to follow new rules for licensure, including completing specialized cremation courses. People operating cremation establishments must hold specific licenses, and crematory operators would face the same legal penalties and prohibitions as funeral directors. Offering anything of value to secure business would be a simple misdemeanor for crematory operators.2
House subcommittee
Named March 10, 2026. On March 12, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§156.6
Lobbying
1 for · 0 against · 4 undecided · Who →
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91st General Assembly