2017 Arizona Legislation: SB1295 and SB1296

What You Need to Know: SB1295 – http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/53leg/1r/bills/sb1295p.htm This bill would reduce the number of Funeral Directors that can serve on the Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers from 4 to 3 and increase the public members to 4. 1/26/17 – Introduced by Sponsor Farnsworth 2/13/17 – Read to Commerce Committee – Failed to pass with a 5-2-1-0 Vote SB1296 – https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/69094?SessionId=117  Originally introduced removing educational requirement to receive Funeral Directors License. Amended version now …

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National Legislation to Watch 2017

Department of Homeland Security May Get Its Own Funding Bill Last month, House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mike McCaul (R-TX), along with the chairs of seven other House committees that share homeland jurisdiction, signed a memorandum of understanding which could improve chances for Congressional approval of the first-ever department-wide authorization bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In essence, the 10-point agreement directs the committees to prioritize funding of DHS components in their jurisdiction …

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2017 Cemetery Maintenance Seminar Recap

Thank you to all who attended our 2017 Maintenance Seminar, held at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Green Acres was a gracious host, and we truly appreciate Amie Gazda and her staff for working so hard to make sure this event was the success it was! We had a great line up of speakers this year that covered everything from pavement, to water regulations, to safety, and more. Thank You Speakers Jared Jones, …

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Is It Time For Funeral Homes To Ban Employees’ Use of Cell Phones While Driving?

Posted: July 13, 2012 By T. Scott Gilligan, NFDA general counsel In the past 20 years, reports from government agencies and health groups documented the dangers of second-hand smoke from cigarettes. The mounting evidence led to several campaigns to restrict smoking in public areas. How well did those campaigns work? Consider that in 2000, no states prohibited smoking in private sector work sites, restaurants and bars. However, by 2010, 26 states had laws prohibiting smoking …

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NFDA Cremation Retreat: Seize the Opportunity

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will host its second annual Cremation Retreat March 15-16, 2017, at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Ga. The one-of-a-kind NFDA Cremation Retreat offers funeral professionals from small- to mid-sized firms an opportunity to explore and reflect on cremation from a variety of perspectives, discern what cremation means to the future of their business, and explore proven strategies to increase the value – and profit …

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Help us build the 2017 Educational Programs!

Part of your membership with the AFCCA is the opportunity to attend educational programs at a discounted rate or attend webinars for free (new in 2017). It is important to us that we put together quality programs with topics that interest and benefit you. We are asking that you take the time to fill out this brief survey to supply topic ideas that you feel would be beneficial to you, as well as all of …

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Meet the Mentors Expands in 2017: Funeral Directors Under 40 and New Licensees Encouraged to Apply

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is expanding its popular Meet the Mentors program to give new licensees an opportunity to learn from the profession’s top funeral directors and network with like-minded peers. Entries for NFDA’s next Meet the Mentors event must be submitted by midnight CST January 6, 2017. Meet the Mentors will take place March 12-14, 2017, at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, which is located on the campus of …

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MCDPH OVR – Office Closures, December 2016

Dear Funeral Home Partners,  All Maricopa County Department of Public Health Office of Vital Registration (MCDPH OVR) locations will be closed in December for the following days: December 13 (Tuesday):  All locations will close from 11 am – 2 pm for an  in-service meeting.  We will be open from 8 am – 11 am and re-open 2 pm – 4:30 pm  December 15 (Thursday) :  All locations will close at 11 am for the remainder of …

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MCDPH OVR – Office Closure, Thanksgiving Holiday 2016

All Maricopa County Department of Public Health Office of Vital Registration (MCDPH OVR) locations  will be closed ALL DAY for the Thanksgiving Day holiday on Thursday and Friday,  November 24 and 25, 2016.  Please be advised that the MCDPH OVR after-hours phone number, 602-525-6968, will be available for you to call for emergencies ONLY.  If possible, please submit all cremation authorizations no later than 2:30 pm, Wednesday,  November 23rd