MORTUARY SCIENCE PROGRAM
P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
Telephone: 651-201-3829
Email: health.mortsci@state.mn.us
Mortuary Science Ad-Hoc Meeting Agenda
December 15, 2015
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ramsey County Public Library – Roseville Location
2180 North Hamline, Roseville, MN 55113
In Attendance:
Present Members Present Members MDH Staff
Absent Members
Guest
Mark Arnold
Jody Bystrom
Anne Kukowski
Alexa Goetsch
Carrie McGhee
Peter Lind
Krista Bauer
Laurie Studer
Robert Ryan
Mark Ballard
Carlena Weiland
Tim Hoff
Erika Fulgern
Joe Sellwood
Marguerite Slonine
Michael LuBrant
Molly Crawford
Agenda:
1. Convene and Introductions
2. Announcements
A. Purpose of Ad Hoc Meetings
To bring MDH’s concerns to industry representatives and receive their input.
To learn about practitioners’ concerns about the industry and its regulation.
To work with industry to develop strategies to help regulation evolve with as the
industry responds to changes in society. To open communications between
practitioners and MDH.
B. Requests for Topics
Email the Mortuary Science Program email address with topics for the next meeting.
To obtain this information in a different format, call 651-201-3731.
Printed on recycled paper.
www.health.state.mn.us
MORT SCI AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
3. Current Topics
A. Background Checks for Crematory Employees
Mr. LuBrant: Many states require a background check - morticians should there be
some background required?
Question: people call to ask if they have something on their record they would like
to know if they would be able to be licensed before going through the entire
program to find out they may not be accepted.
When would the background check be? Suggestion is to have it submitted and
completed with the application.
Ms. Slonine: a crime committed within the industry is the scenario that would
prevent one from getting their license. Refer to statute 364.03
MDH does not ask any questions pertaining to this issue on our application or in the
application process. We could produce a form to ask the applicant to look at the
state records. Federal level could be a lot tougher to gain access to. This may require
finger prints and get legislation approval. Anyone going through health licensing
board requires a background check due to the legislation change recently.
Mr. Ballard: Agrees and expects it to be a normal occurrence.
Mr. Sellwood: There is a timeframe before you can come out and ask for criminal
information.
Mr. LuBrant: Being licensed means working with vulnerable people. This would help
protect our citizens.
Anne: Right now we can put on our application to ask for someone to release their
background information.
Ms. Slonine: Where do you draw the line? Right now it say felony/misdemeanor.
Mr. LuBrant: talks about a board to make a decision on specific cases if one should
be allowed to keep their license or not.
Theft is with preneed funds - This is a big issue. You would want to know about it if
they are going from state to state.
Mr. Carrol: We would need to change legislation correct?
Anne: We need the support of the industry in order to move to legislation.
Mr. Carroll: Agrees that the industry would be behind this.
Anne: We do not generally need the publics support. What we really need is the
support of the people it would effect.
Michael LuBrant will bring question for our next meeting.
Anne: HPSP mort sci we could talk about this in the future.
149A.9 why we can deny a license. In conjunction with 364.03. Currently a big push
not to exclude people from not working.
American board accredited needs to be in subdivision 1 statute. Michael LuBrant will
send an email regarding this.
Should there be some form of education to employee crematories.
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MORT SCI AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Carroll: thinks they should have at least a GED and speak English.
Basic training for equipment. Several states require this through CANA. So many
hours of basic training. ICCFA also has training. Mr. Ballard send his employees to
training.
Mr. Hoff: Is it something we need to mandate? Or leave it up to the operators?
The public wants to know or expects this.
Ms. Mcghee suggests we need to look at why do we suggests how can we make
requirements for people to cremate when you don’t need to have training to
operate/own a crematory.
How do we keep up our policies up with what is actually happening?
An individual cannot take a body to a stand- alone crematory.
They cannot accept delivery.
Carlena: suggests Otj training and cana training for people cremating.
Anne: Easiest to get through legislation because it deals with safety. To require
crematory operators be required some certification.
Mr. Lind: On the job training is important.
B. Price Lists – FTC Requirements
Mr. Ballard: discrepancies between FTC law vs. the MN law.
1. What needs to be included on general price list?
Example: No embalming just cremations so why would one need the price for a
service they do not offer?
2. Includes all prices on list, he was told they need to have separate price lists.
MN law states that we need to have separate price lists.
FTC says only have to list items that you offer.
Anne: If you find discrepancies please let us know. If you feel you are getting
different information from different MDH employees please let us know.
Please let us know about conflicting laws. We will present them for change.
Mr. Ballard: Isolated cases may lead you to a charge you do not offer, therefore you
would need to have it on the price list.
Example: A limo is required to be on the price list. However some other funeral
homes do not have it on theirs.
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MORT SCI AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Carroll suggest more clarity on who we follow first. State vs. Federal. Mort-Sci
will meet and discuss this topic.
Biggest difference Ms. Slonine sees between the FTC and the state are the
disclaimers.
C. Getting Cause of Death Filed on Records Timely & Accurately
Mr. Selwood: Steps taken to correct. Sent info in newsletter. Board of medical
practice is the governing body so it may be possible to meet with them and voice
concerns.
Disposition challenges: When does the clock ticking? When the funeral home picks
up the deceased. Certificate of removal has the time.
Molly Crawford:
MR&C
80 % of deaths are filed electronically.
20% has a paper process.
5 days to file death registration. Cause of death has no time limit.
51% of cause of deaths are filed within that 5 day time frame.
19% are 10 days or more.
Challenges: launched in 2011 20% of the 27% of physicians sending in paper forms
are already registered to use MR&C.
Not all physicians use the system. Vital records is looking at ways to get physicians
on board. Education is key.
Vital records wants to:
Program change to make fact of death be recorded first in the system.
Give deadlines where we no longer use paper registration for deaths.
Look at facilities instead of individuals. Educate facilities instead of just physicians.
Communicating to the physicians how to use MR&C.
Vital records would like to hold classes for physicians. Physicians may have a
designated person that submits a registration for them.
Classes will be held throughout the year to educate the use of MR&C. Hoping to
have online modules to practice using MR&C.
Emails from GovDelivery are sent out for GovDelivery subscribers.
Funeral directories are not always getting the right physician down. Hospitals and
family members give different physicians to funeral directors.
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MORT SCI AD-HOC MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Ballard: Facilities usually get the wrong doctor.
4. Email any topics to us.
5. Adjourn at 2:41 PM.
Next Meeting:
February 2, 2016
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Hiway Federal Credit Union
840 Westminster Street, St. Paul, MN 55130
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