KANSAS STATE BOARD OF MORTUARY ARTS
700 SW JACKSON, SUITE #904
TOPEKA, KANSAS 66603-3733
Thursday, July 1, 2004

FORMAT OF MINUTES:

On each motion there appear the names of two board members in a parenthesis.  The first named made the motion, and the second named made the second.  Ayes and Nays will be recorded at a voter’s request.

Thursday, July 1, 2004:

I.        The regularly scheduled meeting of the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts (KSBMA) was called to order by            President Craig Boomhower.

Roll call by Executive Secretary Mack Smith found the following board members in attendance:   President Craig Boomhower, Garden City, licensee;  Vice-President Stephen C. Ryan, Salina, licensee; Board member Barry W. Bedene, Arma, licensee; and Board Member Melissa Wangemann, Topeka.  The board’s Executive Secretary, Mack Smith was also in attendance.

The board’s Assistant Attorney General, Camille Nohe, was unable to attend the meeting.

The board noted this meeting’s tentative agenda that is displayed on the agency’s website at:  http://www.accesskansas.org/ksbma/ under the heading of Agency Information and Tentative Board Agenda.

(Bedene-Wangemann) To approve a final agenda for this meeting. Carried.

(Bedene-Ryan) To approve the April 1, 2004 regularly scheduled board meeting minutes as amended.  Carried.  Now that they have been approved by the board, these minutes will be displayed on the board’s website.

(Ryan-Bedene) To approve the KSBMA address to the KFDA at their annual convention.  Carried.

Consumer Board Member Charles R. Smith, Overland Park, Kansas, entered the meeting.

The board reviewed results of the written funeral directors’ examination administered on April 1, 2004  noting that 100% (eleven of eleven applicants) were successful and reviewed information provided by examinees on the “Exit” application from this funeral director examination (which allows an opportunity for applicants to express their thoughts on the examination and examination process.)

The board reviewed the ‘Roster of Applicants for Licensure’ scheduled to interview with the board at this meeting, noting the following applicants scheduled to meet with the board: two (2) embalmer-funeral directors, five (5) funeral directors, four (4) reciprocal embalmer-funeral director applicants, and one (1) reciprocal funeral director applicant.  A total of twelve (12) applicants are scheduled to be administered the written funeral directors' examination in conjunction with this meeting.

The board reviewed and discussed written progress reports from the third quarter of an apprentice embalmer/funeral director.  The second quarter reports were reviewed and discussed at the April 1, 2004 board meeting–where the board directed Mr. Smith to write both the apprentice and supervising embalmer regarding comments on those reports.  Following review of the reports, the Board took no action at this time.  The apprentice will meet with the board at the October meeting.  Depending on the fourth quarter progress reports due September 15, 2004, it may be necessary for the board to meet with the supervising licensed embalmer prior to interviewing the apprentice at the October 7, 2004 meeting.  The board directed Executive Secretary Smith to review the fourth quarter progress reports once they are submitted.  If needed, Mr. Smith will schedule a meeting with the supervising embalmer prior to interviewing the apprentice at the October 7, 2004 meeting.

(Wangemann-Smith) To grant the request of Mende J. Barnett to extend her embalming apprenticeship time frame.  Carried.  The two-year time frame in which the embalming apprenticeship must be served will begin January 1, 2005 and must be completed by no later than December 31, 2006.


                                                                                                                                     
II.    The board reviewed individual applications for funeral director and reciprocal licensure along with the executive         secretary’s summations of the applicant’s apprentice and supervising licensee progress reports.  Applicants for              licensure will be interviewed later in this meeting.  Funeral director applicants will be administered the written                 funeral directors' examination by Funeral Home Inspector Francis Mills at 1:30 p.m. later this afternoon in the                 Florentine Room of the Jayhawk Tower.

        All additional quarterly progress reports of embalmer/funeral director apprentices and supervising licensees were         summarized by the executive secretary and discussed by the board with copies of the written reports available for         review.



 III.       Legislation and Law Discussion

         2003-2004 KSBMA Final Legislative Report–A copy of this report is a part of these minutes.

KAR 63-1-4–Embalming examination requirements.  Propose amendments would reflect changes from HB 2657 from the 2004 Kansas legislative session.

KAR 63-3-21– Excess prefinanced funeral agreement money.  Proposed amendments would reflect changes from HB 2781 from the 2004 Kansas legislative session.

KAR 63-5-1– Adverse license actions and definitions.  Proposed amendments would reflect updates recommended from the board.

KAR 63-6-1–Continuing education requirements.   One grammatical amendment is proposed.

(Bedene-Smith)  To submit the above-mentioned four regulations for approval to the appropriate channels.  Carried.  If approval is granted, the public hearing for the regulations will take place during the upcoming board meeting of October 7, 2004 or as soon as can be scheduled by the board’s executive secretary.

 New Rule Book– An updated rule book, with all law changes as of July 1, 2004 is in the final stage of completion and should be available within the next ten days.  The rule book will be available to be purchased for $3.00 per copy or will be printable from the agency’s web site for no charge.


IV.     Executive Director Pam Scott of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association

Ms. Scott brought handouts including the Final 2004 KFDA Legislative Report and two newspaper articles.  The KFDA’s next board meeting is scheduled for July 13, 2004.  Ms. Scott reported that the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) budget included funding for their Funeral Assistance Program for fiscal year 2005 (July 1, 2004–June 30, 2005).  Information on any association business will be available following their upcoming board meeting.  There has been discussion that the possibility of funeral procession legislation may be requested by the association.  There has been local ordinance discussion in Johnson County and Kansas City, Kansas.  The board thanked Ms. Scott for her report.        


V.    Legal Discussion: Individual Complaints/investigations are listed numerically.  The board did not                     necessarily take action in the order listed below:
Complaint and correspondence information and discussion:

The board reviewed correspondence resulting from action taken at the meeting of April 1, 2004.


Information on open complaints:

The Board’s Investigative Committee, which is composed of Board Members Boomhower and Wangemann with legal assistance provided by Assistant Attorney General (litigation) Steve Phillips and administrative assistance by Executive Secretary Smith, met on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 to discuss all open complaints.  Investigative Committee recommendations are included with the individual complaints.

#03-62–(Ryan-Smith) To close the file.  Carried.  The funeral director has provided the board a picture showing a new gravestone with correct lettering is now in place by the deadline stipulated by the board.  The new gravestone was replaced at no cost to the family.

#03-74
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  At the January 2004 meeting, the KSBMA adopted the recommendations of the Investigative Committee and requested prosecution by the Attorney General’s Office.  Following review by the Attorney General’s Office, it was determined at that time not enough evidence existed to prosecute–based on conflicting testimony of two key witnesses.  The Investigative Committee has since requested additional information that was inconclusive in nature.

#03-77
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The monthly death report has been filed with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics.

#03-86
(Ryan-Smith) To close the file.  Carried.  Concerns regarding payment of an at-need funeral.  Following the April 2004 meeting, the licensee was notified that better judgement, communication and professionalism to all involved parties would have avoided this situation from occurring.

#04-01
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to notify both parties that no violations of laws regulated by the board appears to exist.  Carried.  The complaint involves the transfer of two prefinanced funeral agreements from one funeral home to another.

 #04-05
(Ryan-Smith)  To close the file.  Carried.  No possible violations of laws regulated by the board were discovered as the complaint involved conduct of a licensee when interacting with an individual delivering flowers to a funeral home.

 #04-11(Ryan-Smith) To close the file.  Carried.  A Petition to Deny Renewal was issued based on failing to correctly complete a license renewal and on actions involving several consumer complaints.  This individual cannot renew his embalmer and funeral director licenses for twelve (12) years after meeting certain conditions imposed by the board including earning a minimum of 72 hours of continuing education–with a designated number of those hours involving programs in the subject of ethics.  The board’s action will be published on the board website.

#04-13
(Investigative Committee ) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to notify both parties that no violations of laws regulated by the board appears to exist.  Carried.  The complaint involves the purchase of a casket via a prefinanced funeral agreement funded with an insurance policy.

#04-15
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The advertisement in question appear to have been sufficiently corrected to eliminate concerns voiced by the board.

#04-16
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to notify both parties that no violations of laws regulated by the board appears to exist.  Carried.  The funeral director will be notified that better documentation of the property in question and better judgment would have avoided this situation from occurring.  The board will also advise the funeral director that it appears the funeral home’s policy regarding procedures documenting property need to be reviewed.  The complaint involves a dispute concerning jewelry.

#04-17
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to notify both parties that no violations of laws regulated by the board appears to exist.  Carried.  The board will notify the funeral home that better communication could have possibly avoided this situation from occurring.  The complaint involves prefinanced funeral solicitation by a funeral home using names from a book mark sales program.

#04-18
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to refer this case to the Attorney General’s Office for Prosecution.  Carried.  The individual to whom the crematory license is issued has agreed to permanently surrender his embalmer and funeral director licenses but has a crematory license issued in his name.  He has been convicted of numerous felonies and misdemeanors involving moral turpitude and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2004.

#04-19
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to notify both parties that no violations of laws regulated by the board appears to exist.  Carried.  The complaint involves concerns regarding the prefinanced selling of the opening and closing of a grave financed via an insurance product.

#04-20
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The complaint involves two contracts: one prefinanced and the other at-need.  Articles purchased include a lawn crypt.  After the funeral home/cemetery was contacted by the board, they met with the family and worked out a compromise acceptable to all parties.  No board action is necessary.

#04-21
(Investigative Committee)  To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The monthly death reports have been filed with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics.

#04-22
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The complaint involved a listing of a no longer licensed funeral establishment on the internet.

#04-23
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The complaint involved an overpayment of funds by a funeral home to a family in which the money should have been remitted to the Estate Recovery Unit (ERU) of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS.)  The funds were submitted to SRS by the family.

#04-24
(Investigative Committee) To close the file.  Carried.  The complaint does not fall within the jurisdiction of the KSBMA and has been forwarded to the Consumer Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

#04-25
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The funeral home will be notified that under the facts presented there is no clear violation of laws regulated by the board.

#04-26
(Investigative Committee)  To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The complaint involves a listing of a never licensed/deceased individual’s name on the internet.

#04-27
(Investigative Committee) To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to close the file.  Carried.  The complaint involves the possible sale of prefinanced funeral agreements by a cemetery and will be forwarded to the Consumer Protection Division of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office as it does not appear to fall within the jurisdiction of the KSBMA.

#04-28(Investigative Committee)  To adopt the recommendations of the Investigative Committee to notify both parties that no violations of laws regulated by the board appear to exist.  Carried.  The funeral director will be notified that had he exercised more diligence, this situation would have avoided the unnecessary hardship caused to the family.  The complaint involves the failure of a funeral home to file a claim with an insurance company involving a death from almost four (4) years ago for an individual with a prefinanced funeral agreement funded via an insurance product funded via a trust.  Failure of the funeral home to file the claim has caused the family to have to file amended tax forms, pay back taxes, penalties and additional costs for accounting purposes on the interest earned on the trust.

                  
VI.      Discussion about Infectious and Contagious Diseases Impacting Kansas Funeral Homes

Mr. Smith has visited with Dr. Gail Hansen of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE.)  Dr. Hansen is not aware of any changes needed to current board regulations involving infectious and contagious diseases.  If there are any changes, additions, deletions or corrections regarding infectious and contagious diseases and dead human bodies, there must be appropriate documentation before approval will be granted by KDHEPam Scott, the executive director of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association, joined the meeting.

VII.    Board Interviews with Applicants for Licensure:

Embalmer-Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Lori B. (Prusa) Kirk

(Bedene-Ryan) To grant an embalmer license upon payment of an initial license fee of $30.00 and to grant a funeral director license upon payment of an initial license fee of $10.00 and passing of the written funeral director examination, which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Ms. Kirk completed apprenticeships at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home in Coldwater, Kansas.  If granted, the renewal date for both licenses would be November 30, 2004.  Ms. Kirk attended Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas, Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Funeral Service at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma.

                                                                                                                                        
Embalmer-Funeral Director Applicant: Mr. Kent E. Leintz

(Ryan-Smith) To grant an embalmer license upon completion of apprenticeship and payment of an initial license fee of $30.00 and to grant a funeral director license upon completion of apprenticeship, payment of an initial license fee of $12.00 and passing of the written funeral director examination which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Mr. Leintz is scheduled to complete both apprenticeships at R. L. Leintz Funeral Home in Leavenworth, Kansas on August 15, 2004.  If granted, the renewal date for both licenses would be December 31, 2004.  Mr. Leintz earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science at Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, Kansas.


Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Diane R. Euler

(Bedene-Wangemann) To grant a funeral director license upon payment of a $46.00 initial license fee and passing the written Kansas funeral director examination, which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Ms. Euler completed a funeral directing apprenticeship at Memorial Chapel of the Flint Hills in Council Grove, Kansas.  Once issued, the renewal date for the license would be May 31, 2006.  Ms. Euler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at Marymount College of Kansas in Salina, Kansas.


Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Cherie L. Headley

(Ryan-Wangemann) To grant a funeral director license upon payment of a $208.00 initial license fee and passing the written Kansas funeral director examination, which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Ms. Headley completed a funeral directing apprenticeship at Headley Funeral Chapel in Augusta, Kansas.  Once issued, the renewal date for the license would be August 31, 2006.  Ms. Headley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Christine “Chris” M. Sillin

 (Bedene-Ryan) To grant a funeral director license upon completion of apprenticeship, payment of a $26.00 initial license fee and passing the written Kansas funeral director examination, which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Ms. Sillin is scheduled to complete a funeral directing apprenticeship at Sillin Funeral Home in Sterling, Kansas on July 18, 2004.  Once issued, the renewal date for the license would be July 31, 2005.  Ms. Sillin attended Barton County  Community College in Great Bend, Kansas, Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, Mid America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at  Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas.

Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Debby S. Stout

(Bedene-Ryan) To grant a funeral director license upon completion of apprenticeship, payment of a $26.00 initial license fee and passing the written Kansas funeral director examination, which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Ms. Stout is scheduled to complete a funeral directing apprenticeship at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kansas on September 2, 2004.  Once issued, the renewal date for the license would be July 31, 2005.  Ms. Stout attended Brown Mackie College in Kansas City, Kansas, Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas and earned an Associate of Science degree at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Funeral Director Applicant: Mr. James D. Swait

(Ryan-Wangemann) To grant a funeral director license upon payment of a $26.00 initial license fee and passing the written Kansas funeral director examination, which will be administered later today.  Carried.  Mr. Swait completed a funeral directing apprenticeship at Mrs. J.W. Jones Memorial Chapel in Kansas City, Kansas.  Once issued, the renewal date for the license would be July 31, 2005.  Mr. Swait  earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Hearing at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.

Reciprocal Embalmer-Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Jenny Suzanne Cave

Ms. Cave did not show for her scheduled appointment and failed to notify the board accordingly.

The board directed Executive Secretary Smith to provide Ms. Cave with an additional set of applications that will need to be re-filed by the appropriate filing deadline of a future meeting.

Reciprocal (Illinois) Embalmer-Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Olympia E. Dombrowski

Ms. Dombrowski did not show for her scheduled appointment and failed to notify the board accordingly.  This is the third meeting that Ms. Dombrowski has missed her scheduled appointment.

The board directed Executive Secretary Smith to provide Ms. Dombrowski with an additional set of applications that will need to be re-filed by the appropriate filing deadline of a future meeting.

Reciprocal (Washington) Embalmer-Funeral Director Applicant: Ms. Robyn L. Miller

(Ryan-Smith) To grant a reciprocal embalmer license upon payment of a $42.00 initial license fee and to grant a reciprocal funeral director license upon payment of a $14.00 initial license fee and passing the written funeral director examination which will be administered later today.  Carried.  The renewal date for the licenses would be January 31, 2005.  Ms. Miller was granted a Washington embalmer license on May 1, 1994 and a funeral director license on January 10, 1993.  She attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska and Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, Kansas where she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mortuary Service.  She has passed the national examination administered by International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.  Ms. Miller is currently an assistant funeral director and is employed at Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory of Olathe in Olathe, Kansas.

Reciprocal (Missouri) Funeral Director Applicant: Mr. Jeffery B. Woodward

(Wangemann-Ryan) To grant a reciprocal funeral director license upon payment of a $34.00 initial license fee and passing the written funeral director examination which will be administered later today.  Carried.  The renewal date for the license would be November 30, 2005.  Mr. Woodward was granted a Missouri funeral director license on January 16, 2002.  He attended Northeast Junior College in Sterling, Colorado where he earned an Associate in Arts degree and Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree.  Mr. Woodward is currently employed as an assistant funeral director at McGilley and Frye Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Olathe, Kansas.

Reciprocal (Arkansas) Embalmer-Funeral Director Applicant: Mr. Steven C. Germeroth

(Smith-Ryan) To grant a reciprocal embalmer license upon payment of a $150.00 initial license fee and to grant a reciprocal funeral director license upon payment of a $212.50 initial license fee and passing the written funeral director examination which will be administered later today.  Carried.  The renewal date for the licenses would be July 31, 2006.  Mr. Germeroth was granted Arkansas embalmer and funeral director licenses on January 31, 2001.  He attended Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas and Kansas City Kansas Community College in Kansas City, Kansas where he earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mortuary Service.  He has passed the national examination administered by International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, and he will be employed at Resthaven Mortuary of Wichita, Kansas.


(Bedene-Wangemann)  To have KSBMA Executive Secretary Smith ask Assistant Attorney General Nohe if a reciprocal license applicant must have a license in good standing in another state at the time the application is considered by the board at a board meeting.  Carried by a vote of 4-1 with Board Member Smith voting no.


The board recessed for lunch at the Jayhawk Tower Restaurant located on the first floor of the Jayhawk Tower.

                                                                                                                                          
At 1:30 p.m. Mr. Smith read instructions to the funeral director examinee applicants prior to the administration of the funeral director examination which was proctored by Funeral Home Inspector Francis Mills in the Florentine Room of the Jayhawk Tower.  The results of that examination are a part of these minutes.


VIII.    Board Business:

1)    (Ryan-Wangemann) To approve the quarterly lists of continuing education.  Carried.  One list contains correspondence/home study programs.  Both of these lists of approved continuing education programs are regularly updated and are available on the board’s web site on the internet and are mailed to licensees not having internet access.

2)    (Smith-Wangemann) To approve the list of lapsed licenses.  Carried.  The list is a part of these minutes and contains the names of individuals whose license renewals are past due for longer than six months or who have requested that their licenses be dropped.  Licensees who have died during the past quarter are also included on this list for informational purposes.

3)    The board reviewed the list of automatically suspended licenses.  This list contains the names of individuals who have not paid their license renewal fees by the appropriate due date and have not requested that their licenses be dropped.  Once a license is six months in arrears, it is then automatically  placed on the lapsed license list for purposes of being dropped.

4)    (Bedene-Ryan) To approve the fourth quarter (April 1-June 30, 2004) and Year End FY 2004 report of the Funeral Home/Crematory Inspector, Francis F. Mills.  Carried.

5)    Reviewed the current roster of apprentice embalmers and funeral directors.  A total of  30 apprentices are currently registered with the board.

6)    Discussion of news articles relating to the funeral profession that has been provided to board members and legal counsel for their review.

7)    Future Board meeting date for calendar year 2004:  October 7.  The Investigative Committee meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on October 6, 2004 and is included on the tentative agenda section on the board’s web site.  The funeral director examination for this meeting is scheduled to be administered at the Jayhawk Tower building in the Florentine Room located on the first floor at 700 South Jackson Street in Topeka.

8)    The board selected the following dates for 2005 meetings: January 6, April 14, July 7 and October 6.  Staff will make sure that it is possible to reserve examination space and rooms for the dates selected.

9)    The board signed travel vouchers.
                                                                                                                                         

IX.      Executive Secretary's Report:

1)    Budget Update: The KSBMA FY 2004 (July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004) budget expenditure limitation was $236,432.  Once the final balance from the FY 2004 budget has been determined, the board will transfer 50% of that balance to their Kansas Savings Incentive Program (KSIP Account.)  Those amounts will be available at the board’s October 2004 meeting.  The FY 2005 (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005) budget, approved by the 2004 Kansas Legislature, is $237,971–which includes a three percent salary increase for the administrative staff.  $942 of FY 2005 KSBMA fee funds (from contractual services, commodities and capital outlay) were transferred to the State General Fund$13,384 was transferred by the 2003 Kansas Legislature from the FY 2004 budget and placed in the State General Fund.  $4,226 of unbudgeted Kansas Savings Incentive Plan (KSIP) money was also transferred by the 2003 Kansas Legislature from the Mortuary Arts KSIP Fund to the State General Fund.  Including the $942 from the board’s FY 2005 budget to the State General Fund, this makes a total of $18,552 has been transferred from KSBMA accounts to the State General Fund in FYs 2004 and 2005.  This loss will be a contributing factor in requiring that the KSBMA will need to increase license fees effective January 1, 2006.  Expenditures from back in FY 2003 totaled $202,195 with only $199,023 coming from the Mortuary Arts Fee Fund which had an expenditure limit of $216,514–meaning the agency was able to save $17,491 at that time.  The board directed Mr. Smith to submit the FY 2006 and 2007 KSBMA budgets by the filing deadline of September 15, 2004 along with any necessary amendments to the FY 2005 budget.  Mr. Smith will visit with the board president regarding the budget.  A final copy of the budget will be reviewed and discussed by the board at their October 7, 2004 meeting.

2)    Updated information regarding the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB)–Mr. Smith represented the board at the ICFSEB’s Annual Conference in April of 2004.  Copies of information including a summary by Mr. Smith were provided to the board.

3)    Updated information on the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR)–Mr. Smith remains the current past president of this group and will represent the KSBMA at their Annual Meeting in September of 2004.

4)    Updated information regarding the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB)–Mr.  Smith was approved to represent the board at the Attorney Certification Meeting to be held later in 2004 if scheduling and funding allows.

5)    Updated information on the Kansas Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association (KFDA)–Information was previously provided by KFDA Executive Director Pam Scott.  The next scheduled KFDA Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for July 13, 2004.  If invited, Mr. Smith will represent the board at that meeting.

6)    Information on the board’s Web Site, located at:  http://www.accesskansas.org/ksbma/, continues to be updated on a regular basis.  Legislative bills that become law on July 1, 2004 will be posted on the site today (July 1, 2004.)  The new rule book will be added within the next seven to ten days.

7)    The board discussed information from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) including their Model Consumer Protection Guidelines for State Preneed Funeral Statutes.

8)    List of Board Actions–(Bedene-Ryan) To adopt the update list.  Carried.  Board actions since January 1, 2003 will be included on the board’s web site.


9)    The board briefly discussed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Funeral Rule noting that federal legislation to codify the rule has recently been introduced.


10)    The board briefly discussed activities of the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE.)  This group met in conjunction with the ICFSEB in April of 2004, and Mr.  Smith represented the KSBMA at that meeting.


11)    Activities of the Cremation Society of North America (CANA) were reviewed by the board.  The board recently renewed their membership in CANA.  A copy of the CANA Code of Cremation Practice will be provided to board members in an upcoming board mailing.


12)     Funeral Service Ethics Association–A brief discussion on FSEA activities was held including information provided in their newsletter.

13)    Recent Presentations on behalf of the board by Mr.  Smith:
a) The Governor’s Conference On Aging–The board reviewed the PowerPoint Presentation made by Mr. Smith as well as a review of the presentation by those in attendance.  The presentation was held on May 7, 2004 in Topeka at the Manor Conference Center and was titled “Helping Families Face Final Arrangements.”

b)  The Funeral Consumer’s Alliance National Conference–The board reviewed the PowerPoint Presentation made by Mr. Smith on June 12, 2004 in Massman Hall at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri and was titled “Tips For Working Effectively with Regulatory Boards.”  A copy of a newspaper article regarding the conference and Mr. Smith’s presentation was reviewed and discussed by the board.  Board member Bedene had several funeral directors contact him to voice displeasure regarding the quote contributed to Mr. Smith’s in a newspaper article.  Mr. Smith said that KFDA Executive Director Pam Scott informed him that she had been contacted by several Kansas City area funeral directors voicing displeasure regarding the quote.  Mr. Smith said the quote represented a small part of his response to a question from an attendee and did not portray his complete response.  An email thanking Mr. Smith for his presentation by Funeral Consumer Alliance President Gere B. Fulton from Columbia, South Carolina was provided to the board for their review.

X.    Election of Officers/Appointment of Committees

Vice President–(Boomhower-Ryan) To elect Ms. Wangemann as Board Vice President.  Carried.
President–(Boomhower-Wangemann)  To elect Steve Ryan as Board President.  Carried.
Continuing Education Committee–President Ryan appointed Mr. Bedene and himself to the continuing education committee.
Hearing Committee–President Ryan appointed Mr. Bedene, Mr. Smith and himself to the Hearing Committee.
Investigative Committee–President Ryan appointed Mr. Boomhower and Ms. Wangemann to the Investigative Committee.  Administrative support will include KSBMA Executive Secretary Smith and Assistant Attorney General Phillips.

XI.    (Bedene-Ryan) To adjourn–subject to recall by the president, vice president or executive secretary.  Carried.

Respectfully submitted:
                                                                                                                                 
Mack Smith, Executive Secretary
                                                                                                                                       
Craig Boomhower, President
October 7, 2004