DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers passed a bill Monday to overhaul the state’s lax funeral home oversight, joining a second measure aimed at regulating the industry that passed last week. Both follow a series of horrific incidents, including sold body parts, fake ashes and the discovery of 190 decaying bodies.
The cases have devastated hundreds of already grieving families and shed a glaring spotlight on the state’s funeral home regulations, some of the weakest in the nation. The bill passed Monday will head to Gov. Jared Polis’s desk after the House considers a minor change by the Senate.
The legislation would give regulators greater enforcement power over funeral homes and require the routine inspection of facilities including after one shutters. The second bill, which is already headed to the governors’ desk, would require funeral directors and other industry roles to be licensed. Those qualifications would include background checks, degrees in mortuary science, passage of a national examination and work experience.
These 15 AP photos capturing migrants' struggle were honored with a Pulitzer Prize
China's Gu Ailing Qualifies for Freeski Big Air Final at Beijing 2022
Volunteers for Beijing Olympics Attend Training Session to Develop Skills
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
Local Authorities Take Measures to Improve People's Living and Working Conditions in Guangxi
Various Events Held Across China to Celebrate Upcoming Lantern Festival
Call it Cognac diplomacy. France offered China’s Xi a special drink, in a wink at their trade spat
Feature: Beijing 2022 Mascot Bing Dwen Dwen Going Viral in China