STATE OF WISCONSIN
FUNERAL DIRECTORS EXAMINING BOARD
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IN THE MATTER OF RULEMAKING : PROPOSED ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : FUNERAL DIRECTORS
FUNERAL DIRECTORS EXAMINING BOAD : EXAMINING BOARD
: ADOPTING RULES
: (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE TBD)
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PROPOSED ORDER
An order of the Funeral Directors Examining Board to amend FD 1.06 (6) and 1.12 (title); and to create FD 1.015 and 1.13; relating to funeral director license application requirements.
Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Explanation of agency authority:
Section 15.08 (5) (b), Stats., “[e]ach examining board…[s]hall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the trade or profession to which it pertains and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular trade or profession.” Section 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., “[e]ach agency may promulgate rules interpreting the provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency, if the agency considers it necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute…” Section 440.09 (2), Stats., “[t]he department and each credentialing board shall grant a reciprocal credential to an individual who the department or credentialing board determines meets all of the following requirements: 440.09(2)(a) (a) The individual applies for a reciprocal credential under this section on a form prescribed by the department or credentialing board. 440.09(2)(b) (b) The individual is a service member, a former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member and resides in this state. 440.09(2)(c) (c) The individual holds a license, certification, registration, or permit that was granted by a governmental authority in a jurisdiction outside this state that qualifies the individual to perform the acts authorized under the appropriate credential granted by the department or credentialing board. 440.09(2)(d) (d) The individual pays the fee specified under s. 440.05 (2). 440.09(2)(f) (f) The individual is in good standing with the governmental authorities in every jurisdiction outside this state that have granted the individual a license, certification, registration, or permit that qualifies the individual to perform acts authorized under the appropriate credential granted by the department or credentialing board. Section 445.03 (2), Stats., “[t]he examining board may: (a) Make and enforce rules not inconsistent with this chapter establishing professional and business ethics for the profession of funeral directors and for the general conduct of the business of funeral directing, and for the examining and licensing of funeral directors and the registration of apprentices.” Related statute or rule: Sections 445.04 and 445.045, Stats. provide the statutorily required criteria for a funeral director license application. Plain language analysis:
This rule project updates FD 1 to implement 2019 Wisconsin Act 143. Act 143 requires the board to grant a reciprocal credential to an applicant who meets the following criteria:
Completes an application.
Pays the required application fee.
Is either a service member, former service member discharged other than dishonorably within the last four years, or spouse of a service member or former service member discharged other than dishonorably within the last four years.
Holds a credential in another jurisdiction that qualifies the individual to perform the acts authorized under the appropriate credential granted by the department or credentialing board. The rule project also revises FD 1 to implement 2017 Wisconsin Act 278. FD 1.02 (6) is revised to clarify that an applicant must submit documentation necessary for the board determine whether the applicant has certain pending charges (not simply an arrest record) or convictions that are substantially related to the practice of the profession of funeral directing. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None.
Summary of public comments received on statement of scope and a description of how and to what extent those comments and feedback were taken into account in drafting the proposed rule: N/A.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois:
Illinois state law does have a process allowing for expedited issuance of reciprocal credentials for active service members, their spouses, and those who were discharged from the service within the last two years. An applicant must show that they have a credential in good standing in another jurisdiction that is substantially equivalent to the Illinois credential sought, and must submit all required fees and application documents. The credential must be issued within 60 days of receipt of a completed application (20 ILCS 5/5-715).