Florida § 497.281 - Licensure of brokers of burial rights.

§ 497.281. Licensure of brokers of burial rights.

(1)(a) No person shall receive compensation to act as a third party to the sale or transfer of three or more burial rights in a 12-month period unless the person pays a license fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed $250 and is licensed with the department as a burial rights broker in accordance with this section. (b) A member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the initial license fee. To qualify for the initial license fee exemption, an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card, military dependent identification card, military service record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. (2)(a) The applicant shall be required to make disclosure of the applicant’s criminal records, if any, as required by s. 497.142. (b) The application shall require the applicant to disclose whether the applicant or any principal of the applicant has ever had a license or the authority to practice a profession or occupation refused, suspended, fined, denied, or otherwise acted against or disciplined by the licensing authority of any jurisdiction. The licensing authority may require by rule additional information to be provided concerning any affirmative answers. A licensing authority’s acceptance of a relinquishment of licensure, stipulation, consent order, or other settlement, offered in response to or in anticipation of the filing of charges against the license, shall be construed as action against the license. The licensing authority may require by rule additional information to be provided concerning any affirmative answers. (c) The applicant shall submit fingerprints in accordance with s. 497.142. The application shall be signed in accordance with s. 497.141(12). (d) The applicant shall demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant has the ability, experience, and integrity to act as a burial broker and, if the applicant is an entity, that the applicant’s principals are of good character. (3) For the purpose of preventing confusion and error by the licensee or by the cemeteries in which the burial rights are located as to the status as sold or unsold, and as to the identity of the owner, of the burial rights and related interment spaces in the cemetery, the licensing authority shall by rule establish requirements for minimum records to be maintained by licensees under this section. (4) The licensing authority may by rule require inspections of the records of licensees under this section. (5) The department, by rule, shall provide for the biennial renewal of licenses under this section and a renewal fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed $250. (6) The licensure requirements of this section shall not apply to persons otherwise licensed pursuant to this chapter, but such persons, if they engage in activity as burial rights brokers, shall be subject to rules relating to required records and inspections.