Maine Revised Statutes Title 32. Professions and Occupations § 1451. Board; powers and duties

The State Board of Funeral Service, as established by Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 18, consists of 7 members, 5 of whom must be persons licensed for the practice of funeral service for 10 consecutive years or who have had 10 consecutive years' experience as a practitioner of funeral service in this State immediately preceding their appointment and 2 of whom must be public members as defined in Title 5, section 12004-A. Members are appointed by the Governor for a term of 4 years. A national organization of retired persons may submit a list of applicants to the Governor for use in the selection process of one of the public members. Appointments of members must comply with Title 10, section 8009. A board member may be removed by the Governor for cause.

The board may adopt rules consistent with law governing the practice of funeral service, including but not limited to licensing of practitioner trainees, practitioners of funeral service, funeral directors, embalmers, funeral attendants, funeral home establishments and branches. These rules do not become effective unless adopted in conformity with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2.  1

The board shall meet at least once a year to conduct its business and to elect a chair. Additional meetings must be held as necessary to conduct the business of the board and may be convened at the call of the chair or a majority of the board members.

The board shall issue all notices and licenses and may cause inspections to be made of all establishments or places of business of any person engaged in the profession of funeral service in the State, which may include the investigation of complaints or suspected violation of this chapter and the rules adopted by the board. The inspection may also be for the purpose of determining that these establishments and places are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner and that suitable equipment for their proper conduct is maintained and that the laws and the rules of the board relating to the conduct of these establishments are observed. The inspection may include a review of the financial records to determine compliance with the laws and rules of the board governing prearranged funeral services or plans. The inspection may be made by members of the board upon authorization by the board or by professional technical staff.

The board may enter into reciprocal agreements with corresponding boards of other states for the purpose of allowing the practitioners of funeral services to perform their licensed functions in this or other states under such terms and conditions as the boards may prescribe.