To amend sections 9.833, 148.06, 149.431, 2744.081, 4717.05, 4717.06, 4717.10, 4717.11, 4717.12, 4717.13, 4717.21, 4717.24, and 4717.30 of the Revised Code to authorize the Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors to issue courtesy licenses to allow funeral directors in bordering states to conduct limited funeral-related activities in Ohio; to permit embalmers and funeral directors to place their licenses on inactive status; to clarify that, upon the sale of the funeral home, the home may remain operating based upon a submission of a new license application to the Board; to permit out-of-state funeral directors without a license to work with licensed funeral directors during a declared disaster or emergency; to eliminate the requirement that funeral homes be the guarantor of the identity of decedents and instead require funeral homes to complete only visual identification of remains; to exempt certain records concerning individual and joint self insurance of political subdivisions from the public records law; and to authorize joint county department of job and family services employees and detention facility district employees to participate in a deferred compensation program.

SECTION 1. That sections 9.833, 148.06, 149.431, 2744.081, 4717.05, 4717.06, 4717.10, 4717.11, 4717.12, 4717.13, 4717.21, 4717.24, and 4717.30 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 9.833.  (A) As used in this section, "political subdivision" has the meaning defined in sections 2744.01 and 3905.36 of the Revised Code. For purposes of this section, "political subdivision" includes municipal corporations as defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Political subdivisions that provide health care benefits for their officers or employees may do any of the following:

(1) Establish and maintain an individual self-insurance program with public moneys to provide authorized health care benefits, including but not limited to, health care, prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care, in accordance with division (C) of this section;

(2) Establish and maintain a health savings account program whereby employees or officers may establish and maintain health savings accounts in accordance with section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code. Public moneys may be used to pay for or fund federally qualified high deductible health plans that are linked to health savings accounts or to make contributions to health savings accounts. A health savings account program may be a part of a self-insurance program.

(3) After establishing an individual self-insurance program, agree with other political subdivisions that have established individual self-insurance programs for health care benefits, that their programs will be jointly administered in a manner specified in the agreement;

(4) Pursuant to a written agreement and in accordance with division (C) of this section, join in any combination with other political subdivisions to establish and maintain a joint self-insurance program to provide health care benefits;

(5) Pursuant to a written agreement, join in any combination with other political subdivisions to procure or contract for policies, contracts, or plans of insurance to provide health care benefits, which may include a health savings account program for their officers and employees subject to the agreement;

(6) Use in any combination any of the policies, contracts, plans, or programs authorized under this division.

(7) Any agreement made under division (B)(3), (4), (5), or (6) of this section shall be in writing, comply with division (C) of this section, and contain best practices established in consultation with and approved by the department of administrative services. The best practices may be reviewed and amended at the discretion of the political subdivisions in consultation with the department. Detailed information regarding the best practices shall be made available to any employee upon that employee's request.

(8) Purchase plans approved by the department of administrative services under section 9.901 of the Revised Code.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section, the following apply to individual or joint self-insurance programs established pursuant to this section:

(1) Such funds shall be reserved as are necessary, in the exercise of sound and prudent actuarial judgment, to cover potential cost of health care benefits for the officers and employees of the political subdivision. A certified audited financial statement and a report of aggregate amounts so reserved and aggregate disbursements made from such funds, together with a written report of a member of the American academy of actuaries certifying whether the amounts reserved conform to the requirements of this division, are computed in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards, and are fairly stated in accordance with sound loss reserving principles, shall be prepared and maintained, within ninety days after the last day of the fiscal year of the entity for which the report is provided for that fiscal year, in the office of the program administrator described in division (C)(3) of this section.

The report required by division (C)(1) of this section shall include, but not be limited to, the aggregate of disbursements made for the administration of the program, including claims paid, costs of the legal representation of political subdivisions and employees, and fees paid to consultants.

The program administrator described in division (C)(3) of this section shall make the report required by this division available for inspection by any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours, and, upon the request of such person, shall make copies of the report available at cost within a reasonable period of time. The program administrator shall further provide the report to the auditor of state under Chapter 117. of the Revised Code. The report required by this division is in lieu of the records required by division (A) of section 149.431 of the Revised Code.

(2) Each political subdivision shall reserve funds necessary for an individual or joint self-insurance program in a special fund that may be established for political subdivisions other than an agency or instrumentality pursuant to an ordinance or resolution of the political subdivision and not subject to section 5705.12 of the Revised Code. An agency or instrumentality shall reserve the funds necessary for an individual or joint self-insurance program in a special fund established pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the agency's or instrumentality's governing board. The political subdivision may allocate the costs of insurance or any self-insurance program, or both, among the funds or accounts established under this division on the basis of relative exposure and loss experience.

(3) A contract may be awarded, without the necessity of competitive bidding, to any person, political subdivision, nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code, or regional council of governments created under Chapter 167. of the Revised Code for purposes of administration of an individual or joint self-insurance program. No such contract shall be entered into without full, prior, public disclosure of all terms and conditions. The disclosure shall include, at a minimum, a statement listing all representations made in connection with any possible savings and losses resulting from the contract, and potential liability of any political subdivision or employee. The proposed contract and statement shall be disclosed and presented at a meeting of the political subdivision not less than one week prior to the meeting at which the political subdivision authorizes the contract.

A contract awarded to a nonprofit corporation or a regional council of governments under this division may provide that all employees of the nonprofit corporation or regional council of governments, the employees of all entities related to the nonprofit corporation or regional council of governments, and the employees of other nonprofit corporations that have fifty or fewer employees and have been organized for the primary purpose of representing the interests of political subdivisions, may be covered by the individual or joint self-insurance program under the terms and conditions set forth in the contract.

(4) The individual or joint self-insurance program shall include a contract with a certified public accountant and a member of the American academy of actuaries for the preparation of the written evaluations required under division (C)(1) of this section.

(5) A joint self-insurance program may allocate the costs of funding the program among the funds or accounts established under this division to the participating political subdivisions on the basis of their relative exposure and loss experience.

(6) An individual self-insurance program may allocate the costs of funding the program among the funds or accounts established under this division to the political subdivision that established the program.

(7) Two or more political subdivisions may also authorize the establishment and maintenance of a joint health care cost containment program, including, but not limited to, the employment of risk managers, health care cost containment specialists, and consultants, for the purpose of preventing and reducing health care costs covered by insurance, individual self-insurance, or joint self-insurance programs.

(8) A political subdivision is not liable under a joint self-insurance program for any amount in excess of amounts payable pursuant to the written agreement for the participation of the political subdivision in the joint self-insurance program. Under a joint self-insurance program agreement, a political subdivision may, to the extent permitted under the written agreement, assume the risks of any other political subdivision. A joint self-insurance program established under this section is deemed a separate legal entity for the public purpose of enabling the members of the joint self-insurance program to obtain insurance or to provide for a formalized, jointly administered self-insurance fund for its members. An entity created pursuant to this section is exempt from all state and local taxes.

(9) Any political subdivision, other than an agency or instrumentality, may issue general obligation bonds, or special obligation bonds that are not payable from real or personal property taxes, and may also issue notes in anticipation of such bonds, pursuant to an ordinance or resolution of its legislative authority or other governing body for the purpose of providing funds to pay expenses associated with the settlement of claims, whether by way of a reserve or otherwise, and to pay the political subdivision's portion of the cost of establishing and maintaining an individual or joint self-insurance program or to provide for the reserve in the special fund authorized by division (C)(2) of this section.

In its ordinance or resolution authorizing bonds or notes under this section, a political subdivision may elect to issue such bonds or notes under the procedures set forth in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. In the event of such an election, notwithstanding Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, the maturity of the bonds may be for any period authorized in the ordinance or resolution not exceeding twenty years, which period shall be the maximum maturity of the bonds for purposes of section 133.22 of the Revised Code.

Bonds and notes issued under this section shall not be considered in calculating the net indebtedness of the political subdivision under sections 133.04, 133.05, 133.06, and 133.07 of the Revised Code. Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code are hereby made applicable to bonds or notes authorized under this section.

(10) A joint self-insurance program is not an insurance company. Its operation does not constitute doing an insurance business and is not subject to the insurance laws of this state.

(D) A political subdivision may procure group life insurance for its employees in conjunction with an individual or joint self-insurance program authorized by this section, provided that the policy of group life insurance is not self-insured.

(E) This section does not apply to individual self-insurance programs created solely by municipal corporations as defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

(F) A public official or employee of a political subdivision who is or becomes a member of the governing body of the program administrator of a joint self-insurance program in which the political subdivision participates is not in violation of division (D) or (E) of section 102.03, division (C) of section 102.04, or section 2921.42 of the Revised Code as a result of either of the following:

(1) The political subdivision's entering under this section into the written agreement to participate in the joint self-insurance program;

(2) The political subdivision's entering under this section into any other contract with the joint self-insurance program.

Sec. 148.06.  As used in this section:

(A) "Government unit" means a county, park district of any kind, conservancy district, sanitary district, regional water and sewer district, regional transit authority, health district, public library district, or county law library, joint county department of job and family services, or a detention facility district of any kind.

(B) "Governing board" means, in the case of the county, the board of county commissioners; in the case of a park district, the board of park commissioners; in the case of a conservancy district, the district's board of directors; in the case of a sanitary district, the district's board of directors; in the case of a regional water and sewer district, the district's board of trustees; in the case of a regional transit authority, the authority's board of trustees; in the case of a health district, the board of health; in the case of a public library district, the board of library trustees; and in the case of a county law library, the board of trustees of the law library association, in the case of a joint county department of job and family services, the department's board of directors; and in the case of a detention facility district, the board or joint board of county commissioners.

In addition to the program of deferred compensation that may be offered under this chapter, a governing board may offer to all of the officers and employees of the government unit not to exceed two additional programs for deferral of compensation designed for favorable tax treatment of the compensation so deferred. Any such program shall include a reasonable number of options to the officer or employee for the investment of the deferred funds, including annuities, variable annuities, regulated investment trusts, or other forms of investment approved by the governing board, that will assure the desired tax treatment of the funds.

Any income deferred under such a plan shall continue to be included as regular compensation for the purpose of computing the contributions to and benefits from the officer's or employee's retirement system but shall not be included in the computation of any federal and state income taxes withheld on behalf of any such employee.

Sec. 149.431.  (A) Any Except as provided in sections 9.833 and 2744.08 of the Revised Code, any governmental entity or agency and any nonprofit corporation or association, except a corporation organized pursuant to Chapter 1719. of the Revised Code prior to January 1, 1980 or organized pursuant to Chapter 3941. of the Revised Code, that enters into a contract or other agreement with the federal government, a unit of state government, or a political subdivision or taxing unit of this state for the provision of services shall keep accurate and complete financial records of any moneys expended in relation to the performance of the services pursuant to such contract or agreement according to generally accepted accounting principles. Such contract or agreement and such financial records shall be deemed to be public records as defined in division (A)(1) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and are subject to the requirements of division (B) of that section, except that:

(1) Any information directly or indirectly identifying a present or former individual patient or client or his such an individual patient's or client's diagnosis, prognosis, or medical treatment, treatment for a mental or emotional disorder, treatment for mental retardation or a developmental disability, treatment for drug abuse or alcoholism, or counseling for personal or social problems is not a public record;

(2) If disclosure of the contract or agreement or financial records is requested at a time when confidential professional services are being provided to a patient or client whose confidentiality might be violated if disclosure were made at that time, disclosure may be deferred if reasonable times are established when the contract or agreement or financial records will be disclosed.

(3) Any nonprofit corporation or association that receives both public and private funds in fulfillment of any such contract or other agreement is not required to keep as public records the financial records of any private funds expended in relation to the performance of services pursuant to the contract or agreement.

(B) Any nonprofit corporation or association that receives more than fifty per cent of its gross receipts excluding moneys received pursuant to Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, in a calendar year in fulfillment of a contract or other agreement for services with a governmental entity shall maintain information setting forth the compensation of any individual serving the nonprofit corporation or association in an executive or administrative capacity. Such information shall be deemed to be public records as defined in division (A)(1) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and is subject to the requirements of division (B) of that section.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to otherwise limit the provisions of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2744.081.  (A) Regardless of whether a political subdivision, under section 2744.08 of the Revised Code, secures a policy or policies of liability insurance, establishes and maintains a self-insurance program, or enters into an agreement for the joint administration of a self-insurance program, the political subdivision may, pursuant to a written agreement and to the extent that it considers necessary, join with other political subdivisions in establishing and maintaining a joint self-insurance pool to provide for the payment of judgments, settlement of claims, expense, loss, and damage that arises, or is claimed to have arisen, from an act or omission of the political subdivision or any of its employees in connection with a governmental or proprietary function and to indemnify or hold harmless the subdivision's employees against such loss or damage.

All of the following apply to a joint self-insurance pool under this section:

(1) Such funds shall be reserved as are necessary, in the exercise of sound and prudent actuarial judgment, to cover potential political subdivision and employee liability, expense, loss, and damage. A report of aggregate amounts so reserved and aggregate disbursements made from such funds, together with a written report of a member of the American academy of actuaries certifying whether the amounts reserved conform to the requirements of this division, are computed in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards, and are fairly stated in accordance with sound loss reserving principles, shall be prepared and maintained in the office of the pool administrator described in division (A)(2) of this section. The report shall be prepared and maintained on or before the last day of March for the preceding calendar year or, if the joint self-insurance pool's fiscal year is other than a calendar year, not later than ninety days after the close of the pool's fiscal year.

The report required by this division shall include, but not be limited to, the aggregate of disbursements made for the administration of the pool, including claims paid, costs of the legal representation of political subdivisions and employees, and fees paid to consultants.

The pool administrator described in division (A)(2) of this section shall make the report required by this division available for inspection by any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours, and, upon the request of such person, shall make copies of the report available at cost within a reasonable period of time. The report required by this division is in lieu of the records required by division (A) of section 149.431 of the Revised Code.

(2) A contract may be awarded, without the necessity of competitive bidding, to any person, political subdivision, nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code, or regional council of governments created under Chapter 167. of the Revised Code for purposes of administration of a joint self-insurance pool. No such contract shall be entered into without full, prior, public disclosure of all terms and conditions. Such disclosure shall include, at a minimum, a statement listing all representations made in connection with any possible savings and losses resulting from such contract, and potential liability of any political subdivision or employee. The proposed contract and statement shall be disclosed and presented at a meeting of the political subdivision not less than one week prior to the meeting at which the political subdivision authorizes the contract.

(3) A joint self-insurance pool shall include a contract with a member of the American academy of actuaries for the preparation of the written evaluation of the reserve funds required under division (A)(1) of this section.

(4) A joint self-insurance pool may allocate the costs of funding the pool among the funds or accounts in the treasuries of the political subdivisions on the basis of their relative exposure and loss experience.

(B) Two or more political subdivisions may also authorize the establishment and maintenance of a joint risk-management program, including but not limited to the employment of risk managers and consultants, for the purpose of preventing and reducing the risks covered by insurance, self-insurance, or joint self-insurance programs.

(C) A political subdivision is not liable under a joint self-insurance pool for any amount in excess of amounts payable pursuant to the written agreement for the participation of the political subdivision in the joint self-insurance pool. Under a joint self-insurance pool agreement a political subdivision may, to the extent permitted under the written agreement, assume the risks of any other political subdivision, including the indemnification of its employees. A joint self-insurance pool, established under this section, is deemed a separate legal entity for the public purpose of enabling the members of the joint self-insurance pool to obtain insurance or to provide for a formalized, jointly administered self-insurance fund for its members. An entity created pursuant to this section is exempt from all state and local taxes.

(D) Any political subdivision may issue general obligation bonds, or special obligation bonds which are not payable from real or personal property taxes, and may also issue notes in anticipation of such bonds, pursuant to an ordinance or resolution of its legislative authority or other governing body for the purpose of providing funds to pay judgments, losses, damages, and the expenses of litigation or settlement of claims, whether by way of a reserve or otherwise, and to pay the political subdivision's portion of the cost of establishing and maintaining a joint self-insurance pool or to provide for the reserve in the special fund authorized by division (A)(2)(a) of section 2744.08 of the Revised Code.

In its ordinance or resolution authorizing bonds or notes under this section, a political subdivision may elect to issue such bonds or notes under the procedures set forth in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. In the event of such an election, notwithstanding Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, the maturity of the bonds may be for any period authorized in the ordinance or resolution not exceeding twenty years, which period shall be the maximum maturity of the bonds for purposes of section 133.22 of the Revised Code.

Bonds and notes issued under this section shall not be considered in calculating the net indebtedness of the political subdivision under sections 133.04, 133.05, 133.06, and 133.07 of the Revised Code. Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code apply to bonds or notes authorized under this section.

(E)(1) A joint self-insurance pool, in addition to its powers to provide self-insurance against any and all liabilities under this chapter, may also include any one or more of the following forms of property or casualty self-insurance for the purpose of covering any other liabilities or risks of the members of the pool:

(a) Public general liability, professional liability, or employees liability;

(b) Individual or fleet motor vehicle or automobile liability and protection against other liability and loss associated with the ownership, maintenance, and use of motor vehicles;

(c) Aircraft liability and protection against other liability and loss associated with the ownership, maintenance, and use of aircraft;

(d) Fidelity, surety, and guarantee;

(e) Loss or damage to property and loss of use and occupancy of property by fire, lightning, hail, tempest, flood, earthquake, or snow, explosion, accident, or other risk;

(f) Marine, inland transportation and navigation, boiler, containers, pipes, engines, flywheels, elevators, and machinery;

(g) Environmental impairment;

(h) Loss or damage by any hazard upon any other risk to which political subdivisions are subject, which is not prohibited by statute or at common law from being the subject of casualty or property insurance.

(2) A joint self-insurance pool is not an insurance company. Its operation does not constitute doing an insurance business and is not subject to the insurance laws of this state.

(F) A public official or employee of a political subdivision who is or becomes a member of the governing body of a joint self-insurance pool in which the political subdivision participates is not in violation of division (D) or (E) of section 102.03, division (C) of section 102.04, or section 2921.42 of the Revised Code as a result of the political subdivision's entering under this section into the written agreement to participate in the pool or into any contract with the pool.

(G) This section shall not be construed to affect the ability of any political subdivision to self-insure under the authority conferred by any other section of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4717.05.  (A) Any person who desires to be licensed as an embalmer shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form provided by the board. The applicant shall include with the application an initial license fee as set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age and of good moral character.

(2) If the applicant has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the applicant in this state for aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated burglary, or has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the applicant in another jurisdiction for a substantially equivalent offense, at least five years has elapsed since the applicant was released from incarceration, a community control sanction, a post-release control sanction, parole, or treatment in connection with the offense.

(3) The applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the Ohio board of regents or the comparable legal agency of another state in which the college or university is located and submits an official transcript from that college or university with the application.

(4) The applicant has satisfactorily completed at least twelve months of instruction in a prescribed course in mortuary science as approved by the board and has presented to the board a certificate showing successful completion of the course. The course of mortuary science college training may be completed either before or after the completion of the educational standard set forth in division (A)(3) of this section.

(5) The applicant has registered with the board prior to beginning an embalmer apprenticeship.

(6) The applicant has satisfactorily completed at least one year of apprenticeship under an embalmer licensed in this state and has assisted that person in embalming at least twenty-five dead human bodies.

(7) The applicant, upon meeting the educational standards provided for in divisions (A)(3) and (4) of this section and completing the apprenticeship required in division (A)(6) of this section, has completed the examination for an embalmer's license required by the board.

(B) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence verified by oath that the applicant meets all the requirements of division (A) of this section, the board shall issue the applicant an embalmer's license.

(C) Any person who desires to be licensed as a funeral director shall apply to the board on a form provided by the board. The application shall include an initial license fee as set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, the applicant has satisfactorily met all the requirements for an embalmer's license as described in divisions (A)(1) to (4) of this section.

(2) The applicant has registered with the board prior to beginning a funeral director apprenticeship.

(3) The applicant, following mortuary science college training described in division (A)(4) of this section, has satisfactorily completed a one-year apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director in this state and has assisted that person in directing at least twenty-five funerals.

(4) The applicant has satisfactorily completed the examination for a funeral director's license as required by the board.

(D) In lieu of mortuary science college training required for a funeral director's license under division (C)(1) of this section, the applicant may substitute a satisfactorily completed two-year apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director in this state assisting that person in directing at least fifty funerals.

(E) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets all the requirements of division (C) of this section, the board shall issue to the applicant a funeral director's license.

(F) A funeral director or embalmer may request the funeral director's or embalmer's license be placed on inactive status by submitting to the board a form prescribed by the board and such other information as the board may request. A funeral director or embalmer may not place the funeral director's or embalmer's license on inactive status unless the funeral director or embalmer is in good standing with the board and is in compliance with applicable continuing education requirements. A funeral director or embalmer who is granted inactive status is prohibited from participating in any activity for which a funeral director's or embalmer's license is required in this state. A funeral director or embalmer who has been granted inactive status is exempt from the continuing education requirements under section 4717.09 of the Revised Code during the period of the inactive status.

(G) A funeral director or embalmer who has been granted inactive status may not return to active status for at least two years following the date that the inactive status was granted. Following a period of at least two years of inactive status, the funeral director or embalmer may apply to return to active status upon completion of all of the following conditions:

(1) The funeral director or embalmer files with the board a form prescribed by the board seeking active status and provides any other information as the board may request;

(2) The funeral director or embalmer takes and passes the Ohio laws examination for each license being activated;

(3) The funeral director or embalmer pays a reactivation fee to the board in the amount of one hundred forty dollars for each license being reactivated.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) "Community control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Post-release control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4717.06.  (A)(1) Any person who desires to obtain a license to operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form provided by the board. The application shall include the initial license fee set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and proof satisfactory to the board that the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility is in compliance with rules adopted by the board under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code, rules adopted by the board of building standards under Chapter 3781. of the Revised Code, and all other federal, state, and local requirements relating to the safety of the premises.

(2) If the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility to which the license application pertains is owned by a corporation or limited liability company, the application shall include the name and address of the corporation's or limited liability company's statutory agent appointed under section 1701.07 or 1705.06 of the Revised Code or, in the case of a foreign corporation, the corporation's designated agent appointed under section 1703.041 of the Revised Code. If the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility to which the application pertains is owned by a partnership, the application shall include the name and address of each of the partners. If, at any time after the submission of a license application or issuance of a license, the statutory or designated agent of a corporation or limited liability company owning a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility or the address of the statutory or designated agent changes or, in the case of a partnership, any of the partners of the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility or the address of any of the partners changes, the applicant for or holder of the license to operate the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility shall submit written notice to the board, within thirty days after the change, informing the board of the change and of any name or address of a statutory or designated agent or partner that has changed from that contained in the application for the license or the most recent notice submitted under division (A)(2) of this section.

(B)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate a funeral home only for the address at which the funeral home is operated. The funeral home license and licenses of the embalmers and funeral directors employed by the funeral home shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the funeral home.

(2) The funeral home shall have on the premises one of the following:

(a) If embalming will take place at the funeral home, an embalming room that is adequately equipped and maintained. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the embalming, preparation, or holding of dead human bodies. The embalming room shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for those purposes.

(b) If embalming will not take place at the funeral home, a holding room that is adequately equipped and maintained. The holding room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the preparation, other than embalming, and holding of dead human bodies. The holding room shall contain only the articles and facilities necessary for those purposes.

(3) Except as provided in division (B) of section 4717.11 of the Revised Code, a funeral home shall be established and operated only under the name of a holder of a funeral director's license issued by the board who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home, and a funeral home license shall not include directional or geographical references in the name of the funeral home. The holder of the funeral home license shall be a funeral director licensed under this chapter who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. Nothing in division (B)(3) of this section prohibits the holder of a funeral home license from including directional or geographical references in promotional or advertising materials identifying the location of the funeral home.

(4) Each funeral home shall be directly supervised by a funeral director licensed under this chapter, who shall supervise only one funeral home.

(C)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate an embalming facility only for the address at which the embalming facility is operated. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the facility.

(2) The embalming facility shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner. The embalming room at such a facility shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for its stated purpose. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies.

(3) An embalming facility license shall be issued only to an embalmer licensed under division (B) of section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, who is actually in charge of the facility.

(D)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate a crematory facility only for the address at which the crematory facility is located and operated. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the crematory facility.

(2) The crematory facility shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. The crematory shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for carrying out the business of the crematory. The crematory shall contain a separate area for the performance of cremation and pulverization of dead human bodies, human body parts, and animals. The crematory facility may be located in a funeral home, embalming facility, cemetery building, or other building in which the crematory facility may lawfully operate. If a crematory facility engages in the cremation of animals, the crematory facility shall cremate animals in a cremation chamber that also is not used to cremate dead human bodies or human body parts and shall not cremate animals in a cremation chamber used for the cremation of dead human bodies and human body parts. Cremation chambers that are used for the cremation of dead human bodies or human body parts and cremation chambers used for the cremation of animals may be located in the same area.

(3) A license to operate a crematory facility shall be issued to a the person actually in charge of the crematory facility. This section does not require the individual who is actually in charge of the crematory facility to be an embalmer or funeral director licensed under this chapter.

(4) Nothing in this section or rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code precludes the establishment and operation of a crematory facility on or adjacent to the property on which a cemetery, funeral home, or embalming facility is located.

Sec. 4717.10.  (A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may recognize licenses issued to embalmers and funeral directors by other states, and upon presentation of such licenses, may issue to the holder an embalmer's or funeral director's license under this chapter. The board shall charge the same fee as prescribed in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code to issue or renew such an embalmer's or funeral director's license. Such licenses shall be renewed annually as provided in section 4717.08 of the Revised Code. The board shall not issue a license to any person under this section unless the applicant proves that the applicant, in the state in which the applicant is licensed, has complied with requirements substantially equal to those established in section 4717.05 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may issue courtesy cards. A courtesy cardholder shall be authorized to undertake both the following acts in this state:

(1) Prepare and complete those sections of a death certificate and other permits needed for disposition of deceased human remains in this state and sign and file such death certificates and permits;

(2) Supervise and conduct funeral ceremonies and interments in this state.

(C) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may determine under what conditions a courtesy card may be issued to funeral directors in bordering states after taking into account whether and under what conditions and fees such border states issue similar courtesy cards to funeral directors licensed in this state. Applicants for courtesy cards shall apply on forms prescribed by the board, pay an annual fee set by the board for initial applications and renewals, and adhere to such other requirements imposed by the board on courtesy cardholders.

(D) No courtesy cardholder shall be authorized to undertake any of the following activities in this state:

(1) Arranging funerals or disposition services with members of the public in this state;

(2) Be employed by or under contract to a funeral home licensed in this state to perform funeral services in this state;

(3) Advertise funeral or disposition services in this state;

(4) Enter into or execute funeral or disposition contracts in this state;

(5) Prepare or embalm deceased human remains in this state;

(6) Arrange for or carry out the disinterment of human remains in this state.

(E) As used in this section, "courtesy card" means a special permit that may be issued to a funeral director licensed in a state that borders this state and who does not hold a funeral director's license under this chapter.

Sec. 4717.11.  (A) A person who is licensed to operate a funeral home shall obtain a new license upon any change in location of the funeral home or any change in ownership of the funeral business that owns the funeral home that results in a majority of the ownership of the funeral business being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the funeral business immediately prior to the change in ownership. The person licensed to operate the funeral home shall surrender the current license to the board within thirty days after any such change occurs. If a funeral home is sold, the new owner funeral director who will be actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the funeral home shall apply for a license within thirty days after the date of the closing of the purchase of the funeral home. Upon the filing of an application for a funeral home license by a licensed funeral director, the funeral home may continue to operate until the board denies the funeral home's application.

(B) When the funeral director who is licensed to operate a funeral home dies or otherwise ceases to operate the home because of death, resignation, employment termination, sale of the funeral home, or any other reason, the funeral home may continue to operate under that person's name, provided that the name of the new person licensed to operate the funeral home is added to the license within twenty-four months after the previous license holder dies or otherwise ceases to operate the funeral home. The new licensee shall meet the requirements of section 4717.06 of the Revised Code.

(C) A person who is licensed to operate an embalming facility shall obtain a new license upon any change in location of the embalming facility or any change in ownership of the business entity that owns the embalming facility that results in a majority of the ownership of the business entity being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the business entity immediately prior to the change in ownership. The person licensed to operate the facility shall surrender the current license to the board within thirty days after any such change occurs.

(D) A person who is licensed to operate a crematory facility shall obtain a new license upon any change in location of the crematory facility or any change in ownership of the business entity operating the facility that results in a majority of the ownership of the business entity being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the business entity immediately prior to the change in ownership. The person licensed to operate the crematory facility shall surrender the current license to the board within thirty days after any such change occurs.

Sec. 4717.12.  (A) The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

(1) An officer or employee of the department of health or any board of health, who, in compliance with rules or orders of the department of health or board of health, is preparing the body of a person whose death was caused by a virulent communicable disease;

(2) An officer, employee, or licensed physician of a medical college, when any of these are acting on behalf of a medical college;

(3) Any person carrying out sections 1713.34 to 1713.39 of the Revised Code, prescribing the conditions under which the bodies of indigent persons are held subject for anatomical study;

(4) Any person licensed in another state as a funeral director or embalmer who is assisting a funeral director or embalmer licensed under this chapter during a disaster or an emergency in the state that has been declared by this state or a political subdivision.

(B) This chapter does not prevent or interfere with any of the following:

(1) The ceremonies, customs, religious rights, or religion of any people, denomination, or sect;

(2) Any religious denomination or sect, or any body composed of members of a denomination;

(3) Any church or synagogue committee in preparing dead human bodies for burial;

(4) The conducting of funerals and the burial of dead human bodies in accordance with the ceremonies or rights described in division (B) of this section without the use, employment, or supervision of a licensed embalmer or funeral director, except when the body is that of a person whose death was caused by a virulent communicable disease, in which case the rules of the department of health or board of health having territorial jurisdiction shall apply.

Sec. 4717.13.  (A) No person shall do any of the following:

(1) Engage in the business or profession of funeral directing unless the person is licensed as a funeral director under this chapter, is certified as an apprentice funeral director in accordance with rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and is assisting a funeral director licensed under this chapter, or is a student in a college of mortuary sciences approved by the board and is under the direct supervision of a funeral director licensed by the board;

(2) Engage in embalming unless the person is licensed as an embalmer under this chapter, is certified as an apprentice embalmer in accordance with rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and is assisting an embalmer licensed under this chapter, or is a student in a college of mortuary science approved by the board and is under the direct supervision of an embalmer licensed by the board;

(3) Advertise or otherwise offer to provide or convey the impression that the person provides funeral directing services unless the person is licensed as a funeral director under this chapter and is employed by or under contract to a licensed funeral home and performs funeral directing services for that funeral home in a manner consistent with the advertisement, offering, or conveyance;

(4) Advertise or otherwise offer to provide or convey the impression that the person provides embalming services unless the person is licensed as an embalmer under this chapter and is employed by or under contract to a licensed funeral home or a licensed embalming facility and performs embalming services for the funeral home or embalming facility in a manner consistent with the advertisement, offering, or conveyance;

(5) Operate a funeral home without a license to operate the funeral home issued by the board under this chapter;

(6) Practice the business or profession of funeral directing from any place except from a funeral home that a person is licensed to operate under this chapter;

(7) Practice embalming from any place except from a funeral home or embalming facility that a person is licensed to operate under this chapter;

(8) Operate a crematory or perform cremation without a license to operate the crematory issued under this chapter;

(9) Cremate animals in a cremation chamber in which dead human bodies or body parts are cremated or cremate dead human bodies or human body parts in a cremation chamber in which animals are cremated.

(10) Hold a dead human body, before final disposition, for more than forty-eight hours after the time of death unless the dead human body is embalmed or placed into refrigeration and maintained at a constant temperature of less than forty degrees.

(B) No funeral director or other person in charge of the final disposition of a dead human body shall fail to do one of the following prior to the interment of the body:

(1) Affix to the ankle or wrist of the deceased a tag encased in a durable and long-lasting material that contains the name, date of birth, date of death, and social security number of the deceased;

(2) Place in the casket a capsule containing a tag bearing the information described in division (B)(1) of this section;

(3) If the body was cremated, place in the vessel containing the cremated remains a tag bearing the information described in division (B)(1) of this section.

(C) No person who holds a funeral home license for a funeral home that is closed, or that is owned by a funeral business in which changes in the ownership of the funeral business result in a majority of the ownership of the funeral business being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the funeral business immediately prior to the change in ownership, shall fail to submit to the board within thirty days after the closing or such a change in ownership of the funeral business owning the funeral home, a clearly enumerated account of all of the following from which the licensee, at the time of the closing or change in ownership of the funeral business and in connection with the funeral home, was to receive payment for providing funeral services, funeral goods, or any combination of those in connection with the funeral or final disposition of a dead human body:

(1) Preneed funeral contracts governed by sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code;

(2) Life insurance policies or annuities the benefits of which are payable to the provider of funeral or burial goods or services;

(3) Accounts at banks or savings banks insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation, savings and loan associations insured by the federal savings and loan insurance corporation or the Ohio deposit guarantee fund, or credit unions insured by the national credit union administration or a credit union share guaranty corporation organized under Chapter 1761. of the Revised Code that are payable upon the death of the person for whose benefit deposits into the accounts were made.

Sec. 4717.21.  (A) Any person, on an antemortem basis, may serve as the person's own authorizing agent, authorize the person's own cremation, and specify the arrangements for the final disposition of the person's own cremated remains by executing an antemortem cremation authorization form. A guardian, custodian, or other personal representative who is authorized by law or contract to do so on behalf of a person, on an antemortem basis, may authorize the cremation of the person and specify the arrangements for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains by executing an antemortem cremation authorization form on the person's behalf. Any such antemortem cremation authorization form also shall be signed by one witness. The original copy of the executed authorization form shall be sent to the operator of the crematory facility being authorized to conduct the cremation, and a copy shall be retained by the person who executed the authorization form. The person who executed an antemortem cremation authorization form may revoke the authorization at any time by providing written notice of the revocation to the operator of the crematory facility named in the authorization form. The person who executed the authorization form may transfer the authorization to another crematory facility by providing written notice to the operator of the crematory facility named in the original authorization of the revocation of the authorization and, in accordance with this division, executing a new antemortem cremation authorization form authorizing the operator of another crematory facility to conduct the cremation.

(B)(1) Each antemortem cremation authorization form shall specify the final disposition that is to be made of the cremated remains.

(2) Every antemortem cremation authorization form entered into on or after the effective date of this amendment shall specify the final disposition that is to be made of the remains and shall include a provision in substantially the following form:

NOTICE: Upon the death of the person who is the subject of this antemortem cremation authorization, the person holding the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may cancel the cremation arrangements, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains, or make alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. However, the person executing this antemortem cremation authorization is encouraged to state his or her preferences as to the manner of final disposition in a declaration of the right of disposition pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code, including that the arrangements set forth in this form shall be followed.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, when the operator of a crematory facility is in possession of a cremation authorization form that has been executed on an antemortem basis in accordance with this section, the other conditions set forth in division (A) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code have been met, the crematory facility has possession of the decedent to which the antemortem authorization pertains, and the crematory facility has received payment for the cremation of the decedent and the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or is otherwise assured of payment for those services, the crematory facility shall cremate the decedent as directed and dispose of the cremated remains in accordance with the instructions contained in the antemortem cremation authorization form.

(2) A person with the right of disposition for a decedent under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code who is not disqualified under section 2108.75 of the Revised Code may cancel the arrangements for the decedent's cremation, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's cremated remains, or make alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. If a person with the right takes any such action, the operator shall disregard the instructions contained in the antemortem cremation authorization form and follow the instructions of the person with the right.

(D) An antemortem cremation authorization form executed under division (A) of this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the person named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains. Despite the existence of such an antemortem cremation authorization, a person identified under division (A) of section 4717.22 of the Revised Code as being entitled to act as the authorizing agent with the right of disposition for the cremation of the a decedent named in the antemortem authorization, in the descending order of priority in which they are listed, under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may modify, in writing, the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent set forth in the authorization form or may cancel the cremation and claim the decedent's body for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. The revocation of an antemortem cremation authorization form executed under division (A) of this section, or the cancellation of the cremation of the person named in the antemortem authorization or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains as authorized by this division, does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract entered into for the cremation of the person named in the antemortem authorization or for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains.

(E) Nothing in this section applies to any antemortem cremation authorization form executed prior to the effective date of this section. Any cemetery, funeral home, crematory facility, or other party may specify, with the written approval of the person who executed the antemortem authorization, that such an antemortem authorization is subject to sections 4717.21 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4717.24.  (A) A cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of a dead human body, other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, shall include at least all of the following information and statements:

(1) The identity of A statement that the decedent has been identified in accordance with division (B) of this section;

(2) The name of the funeral director or other individual who obtained the burial or burial-transit permit authorizing the cremation of the decedent;

(3) The name of the authorizing agent and the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent;

(4) A statement that the authorizing agent in fact has the right to authorize cremation of the decedent and that the authorizing agent does not have actual knowledge of the existence of any living person who has a superior priority right to act as the authorizing agent under section 4717.22 of the Revised Code. If the person executing the cremation authorization form knows of another living person who has such a superior priority right, the authorization form shall include a statement indicating that the person executing the authorization form has made reasonable efforts to contact the person having the superior priority right and has been unable to do so and that the person executing the authorization form has no reason to believe that the person having the superior priority right would object to the cremation of the decedent.

(5) A statement of whether the authorizing agent has actual knowledge of the presence in the decedent of a pacemaker, defibrillator, or any other mechanical or radioactive device or implant that poses a hazard to the health or safety of personnel performing the cremation;

(6) A statement indicating the crematory facility is to cremate the casket or alternative container in which the decedent was delivered to or accepted by the crematory facility;

(7) A statement of whether the crematory facility is authorized to simultaneously cremate the decedent in the same cremation chamber with one or more other decedents who were related to the decedent named in the cremation authorization form by consanguinity or affinity or who, at any time during the one-year period preceding the decedent's death, lived with the decedent in a common law marital relationship or otherwise cohabited with the decedent. A cremation authorization form executed under this section shall not authorize the simultaneous cremation of a decedent in the same cremation chamber with one or more other decedents except under the circumstances described in the immediately preceding sentence.

(8) The names of any persons designated by the authorizing agent to be present in the holding facility or cremation room prior to or during the cremation of the decedent or during the removal of the cremated remains from the cremation chamber;

(9) The authorization for the crematory facility to cremate the decedent and to process or pulverize the cremated remains as is the practice at the particular crematory facility;

(10) A statement of whether it is the crematory facility's practice to return all of the residue removed from the cremation chamber following the cremation or to separate and remove foreign matter from the residue before returning the cremated remains to the authorizing agent or the person designated on the authorization form to receive the cremated remains pursuant to division (A)(11) of this section;

(11) The name of the person who is to receive the cremated remains of the decedent from the crematory facility;

(12) The manner in which the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent is to occur, if known. If the cremation authorization form does not specify the manner of the final disposition of the cremated remains, it shall indicate that the cremated remains will be held by the crematory facility for thirty days after the cremation, unless, prior to the end of that period, they are picked up from the crematory facility by the person designated on the cremation authorization form to receive them, the authorizing agent, or, if applicable, the funeral director who obtained the burial or burial-transit permit for the decedent, or are delivered or shipped by the operator of the crematory facility to one of those persons. The authorization form shall indicate that if no instructions for the final disposition are provided on the authorization form and that if no arrangements for final disposition have been made within the thirty-day period, the crematory facility may return the cremated remains to the authorizing agent. The authorization form shall further indicate that if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains have been made within sixty days after the completion of the cremation and if the authorizing agent has not picked them up or caused them to be picked up within that period, the operator may dispose of them in accordance with division (C) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code.

(13) A listing of the items of value to be delivered to the crematory facility along with the dead human body, if any, and instructions regarding how those items are to be handled;

(14) A statement of whether the authorizing agent has made arrangements for any type of viewing of the decedent or for a service with the decedent present prior to the cremation and, if so, the date, time, and place of the service;

(15) A statement of whether the crematory facility may proceed with the cremation at any time after the conditions set forth in division (A) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code have been met and the decedent has been received at the facility;

(16) The certification of the authorizing agent to the effect that all of the information and statements contained in the authorization form are accurate;

(17) The signature of a funeral director licensed under this chapter, or another individual, as a witness. If a licensed funeral director signs the authorization form as a witness, the funeral director is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and statements required under divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section, but is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of any of the other information or statements provided on the authorization form by the authorizing agent, unless the funeral director has actual knowledge to the contrary regarding any of the other information or statements. In addition, at the time the decedent is delivered to the crematory facility, the funeral director shall certify that the dead human body delivered to the crematory facility is that of the decedent identified on the authorization form and shall certify that the responsibility imposed on the funeral director by division (B) of section 4717.29 of the Revised Code has been carried out. If an individual other than a licensed funeral director signs the authorization form as a witness, the individual is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information or statements provided on the authorization form, unless the individual has actual knowledge to the contrary regarding any of the information or statements provided by the authorizing agent and the signature of at least one witness who observed the authorizing agent execute the cremation authorization form.

(B) In making the identification of the decedent required by division (A)(1) of this section, the funeral home arranging the cremation shall require the authorizing agent or the agent's appointed representative to visually identify the decedent's remains or a photograph or other visual image of the remains. If identification is by photograph or other visual image, the authorizing agent or representative shall sign the photograph or other visual image. If visual identification is not feasible, other positive identification of the decedent may be used including, but not limited to, reliance upon an identification made through the coroner's office or identification of photographs or other visual images of scars, tattoos, or physical deformities taken from the decedent's remains.

(C) An authorizing agent who is not available to execute a cremation authorization form in person may designate another individual to serve as the authorizing agent by providing to the operator of the crematory facility where the cremation is to occur a written designation, acknowledged before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths, authorizing that other individual to serve as the authorizing agent, or by sending to the operator a facsimile transmission of the written designation that has been so acknowledged. Any such written designation shall contain the name of the decedent, the name and address of the authorizing agent, the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent, and the name and address of the individual who is being designated to serve as the authorizing agent. Upon receiving such a written designation or a facsimile transmission of such a written designation, the operator shall permit the individual named in the written designation to serve as the authorizing agent and to execute the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent named in the written designation.

(C)(D) An authorizing agent who signs a cremation authorization form under this section is hereby deemed to warrant the accuracy of the information and statements contained in the such authorization form, including the person's identification of the decedent and the agent's authority to authorize the cremation. A funeral home and its employees are not responsible for verifying the accuracy of any information or statements the authorizing agent made on the authorization form, unless the funeral home or its employees have actual knowledge to the contrary regarding any such information or statement. When delivering the decedent's remains to a crematory facility or in carrying out the disposition in its own facility, the funeral home is responsible for having the decedent identified pursuant to division (B) of this section and carrying out the obligations imposed on the funeral home by division (B) of section 4717.29 of the Revised Code.

(D)(E) At any time after executing a cremation authorization form and prior to the beginning of the cremation process, the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form under division (A) or (B)(C) of this section may, in writing, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent set forth in the authorization form or may, in writing, revoke the authorization, cancel the cremation, and claim the decedent's body for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. The operator of a crematory facility shall cancel the cremation if the operator receives such a revocation before beginning the cremation.

(E)(F) A cremation authorization form executed under this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent. The revocation of a cremation authorization form or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent pursuant to division (D)(E) of this section does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract for the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent.

Sec. 4717.30.  (A) The operator of a crematory facility or a funeral director is not liable in damages in a civil action for any of the following actions or omissions, unless the actions or omissions were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner or unless any of the conditions set forth in divisions (B)(1) to (3) of this section apply:

(1)(a) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by the decedent on an antemortem basis under section 4717.21 of the Revised Code;

(b) Having For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person or having released or disposed of the cremated remains in accordance with the instructions set forth in a cremation authorization form executed in person by the person authorized to serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent or for the cremation of body parts of the decedent or living person, named in the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.24 or 4717.25 of the Revised Code.

(2) Having For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by a designated agent under division (B)(C) of section 4717.24 of the Revised Code.

(B) The operator of a crematory facility is not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to accept a dead human body or body parts or to perform a cremation under any of the following circumstances, unless the refusal was made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner:

(1) The operator has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the cremation of the decedent or body parts, until such time as the operator receives an order of the probate court of common pleas having jurisdiction ordering the cremation of the decedent or body parts or until the operator receives from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the cremation to be performed.

(2) The operator has a reasonable basis for questioning the accuracy of any of the information or statements contained in a cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code, as applicable, that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts.

(3) The operator has any other lawful reason for refusing to accept the dead human body or body parts or to perform the cremation.

(C) The operator of a crematory facility or a funeral director is not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to release or dispose of the cremated remains of a decedent or body parts when the operator or funeral director has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the release or final disposition of the cremated remains in connection with any damages sustained, prior to the time the operator or funeral director receives an order of the probate court of common pleas having jurisdiction ordering the release or final disposition of the cremated remains, or prior to the time the facility operator or funeral director receives from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the cremation to be performed.

(D) The operator of a crematory facility is not liable in damages in a civil action in connection with the cremation of, or disposition of the cremated remains of, any dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value delivered to the facility with a dead human body or body parts, unless either or both of the following apply:

(1) The cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code, as applicable, contains specific instructions for the removal or recovery and disposition of any such dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value prior to or after the cremation, and the operator has failed to comply with the written instructions.

(2) The actions or omissions of the operator were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

(E)(1) This section does not create a new cause of action against or substantive legal right against the operator of a crematory facility or a funeral director.

(2) This section does not affect any immunities from civil liability or defenses established by another section of the Revised Code or available at common law to which the operator of a crematory or a funeral director may be entitled under circumstances not covered by this section.

SECTION 2.  That existing sections 9.833, 148.06, 149.431, 2744.081, 4717.05, 4717.06, 4717.10, 4717.11, 4717.12, 4717.13, 4717.21, 4717.24, and 4717.30 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.