THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY BISHOP, HARKINS, KOTIK, BELFANTI, THOMAS, McILVAINE SMITH AND GINGRICH, OCTOBER 4, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, OCTOBER 4, 2010  

AN ACT

Relating to burial accounts.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Burial

Account Act.

Section 2.  Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Burial account."  An interest-bearing account at a bank,

savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution,

the primary purpose of which is to provide for payment, upon

death of the account owner, of the account owner's funeral and

burial expenses.

"Financial institution."  A bank, savings and loan, credit

union or similar financial institution.

"Funeral director."  As defined in the act of January 14,

1952 (1951 P.L.1898, No.522), known as the Funeral Director Law.

Section 3.  Burial account.

(a)  General rule.--All financial institutions shall permit

the establishment and maintenance of burial accounts in

accordance with the provisions of this act.

(b)  Expedited procedure.--Notwithstanding any other

provision of law, presentment by a funeral director to a

financial institution of an account holder's death certificate

along with an invoice for professional services rendered shall

be sufficient to authorize the release and payment of funds from

a burial account.

(c)  Limitation.--Amounts released and paid utilizing the

expedited payment procedure under subsection (b) shall not

exceed $13,000 per decedent.

(d)  Proof of licensure.--A funeral director shall be

required to provide proof of licensure in connection with a

claim under subsection (b).

Section 4.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.