The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the definitions ascribed to them in § 54.1-2310 of the Code of Virginia or shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administration" means the cost to administer and maintain records required by Chapter 23.1 (§ 54.1-2310 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or any regulation of the board, including a percentage of compensation of employees, payment of insurance premiums, reasonable payments for employees' pension and other benefit plans, and costs of maintaining cemetery company and sales personnel compliance with the board's licensure and registration requirements.

"Approved training program" means a training program that has been approved by the board to provide training for individuals to act as a compliance agent or compliance agent designee.

"Change in ownership" means a change in 50% or more of the stockholders or partnership interest, or both, of a cemetery company.

"Compliance agent designee" means an individual who shall be designated by the cemetery company to assure the compliance of the cemetery company with the provisions of Chapter 23.1 (§ 54.1-2310 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter when the compliance agent is not available to supervise the activities of any of its affiliated cemeteries.

"Experience" means supervisory experience with a cemetery company as defined in § 54.1-2310 of the Code of Virginia.

"Licensee" means any person licensed by the board as a cemetery company.

"Moral turpitude" means, but is not limited to, lying, cheating or stealing.

"Outer burial container" means any container which is designed for placement in the grave around the casket including, but not limited to, containers commonly known as burial vaults or grave boxes and grave liners.

"Perpetual care" means continuing care, maintenance, administration and embellishment of the cemetery.

"Preneed trust fund" means those moneys held in accordance with § 54.1-2325 of the Code of Virginia.

"Principal" means the following individuals:

1. The sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship.

2. The partners of a general partnership.

3. The managing partners of a limited partnership.

4. The officers of a corporation as registered with the State Corporation Commission.

5. The managers of a limited liability company.

6. The officers or directors of an association.

"Reasonably maintain" means the building, grounds, and facilities are safe for use by the public, in good repair, and in compliance with local ordinances.

"Registrant" means any natural person registered with the board as sales personnel.

"Sales personnel" means any natural person employed by or affiliated as an independent contractor with a licensed cemetery company who deals with the public in the sale or offering for sale of any property or services enumerated in the definition of "cemetery company" contained in § 54.1-2310 of the Code of Virginia.

"Services" means any act or activity by the cemetery company in relation to arranging, supervising, interring or disposing of the remains or commemorating the memory of deceased human beings.

A. Every person applying for a cemetery company license shall must meet all of the requirements outlined in §§ 54.1-2311 and 54.1-2314 of the Code of Virginia as well as the additional qualifications of this section.

B. Each person applying for a cemetery company license and the principals of that firm shall must disclose, at the time the application is submitted, any current or previous cemeteries managed in Virginia or in any other jurisdictions and any disciplinary actions taken against those cemeteries or the individuals managing them. This includes any monetary penalties, fines or disciplinary actions taken by any federal, state or local regulatory agencies.

C. In accordance with § 54.1-2314 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall must disclose the following information about the cemetery company and any of the principals of the company:

1. A conviction in any jurisdiction of any felony or any crime of moral turpitude, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed.

2. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude within five years of the date the application is submitted.

Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may deny approval of a cemetery application in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Every applicant for compliance agent or designee shall must have the following qualifications:

1. Be at least 18 years old; and

2. Have two years experience in the cemetery business and have successfully completed a board approved training course; and

3. Be a full time employee of the cemetery company or is a principal.

B. The applicant shall must disclose any current or previous licenses/registrations from Virginia or in any other jurisdictions, and any disciplinary actions taken against those licenses/registrations. This includes, but is not limited to, any monetary penalties, fines or disciplinary actions taken by any federal, state or local regulatory agencies. The board, at its discretion, may deny approval of the compliance agent or designee based upon disciplinary actions by any jurisdiction.

C. The applicant shall must disclose any conviction or finding of guilt, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in the preceding five years or any felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection. The record of conviction, finding or case decision shall be considered prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, at its discretion, may deny approval of the compliance agent or designee in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

D. The applicant shall must certify that he the applicant understands and will comply with all the laws of Virginia related to cemetery company licensure under the provisions of Chapter 23.1 (§ 54.1-2310 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter.

A. Cemetery company sales personnel shall must submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and shall must meet the requirements set forth in § 54.1-2314 of the Code of Virginia, as well as the additional qualifications of this section.

B. Every applicant to the board for registration as sales personnel shall must provide his the applicant's name, address, and the license number of the cemetery company he the applicant will be employed by or affiliated with, and the address of each cemetery for which he will act as sales personnel.

C. Each applicant for registration as sales personnel shall must disclose, at the time the application is submitted, any current or previous cemetery sales licenses or registrations from Virginia or in any other jurisdictions, and any disciplinary actions taken against those licenses or registrations. This includes any monetary penalties, fines, or disciplinary actions taken by any federal, state, or local regulatory agencies.

D. Each applicant for registration as sales personnel shall must disclose, at the time the application is submitted, the following information:

1. A conviction in any jurisdiction of any felony or any crime of moral turpitude, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed.

2. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude within five years of the date the application is submitted.

Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may refuse registration of a sales personnel application in accordance with § 54.1-2314 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Sales personnel may be employed by or affiliated with more than one cemetery company provided that a separate registration is obtained for each such employment or affiliation.

B. A sales personnel registration may not be transferred from one licensed cemetery company to another. The registration is void if the registrant is no longer affiliated with the a cemetery company indicated on the original application for registration.

A. The trustee of a perpetual care trust fund or a preneed trust fund, other than a Virginia trust company or trust subsidiary or a federally insured bank or savings institution doing business in the Commonwealth, must meet the requirements of this section and shall will be governed by § 54.1-2318 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The trustee applicant shall must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of five two years of experience either as an individual trustee or as an agent for a firm responsible for the management of a trust.

C. Each trustee or trust firm, or both, shall must provide information for the 10 seven years prior to the submission of the application on any outstanding judgments, outstanding tax obligations, or defaults on any bonds directly related to the management of the trust. If the trustee firm or its parent or predecessor organization has, during the previous 10 seven years, been adjudicated a bankrupt or has any proceeding for the relief of debtors, such fact or facts shall must be stated.

D. Each trust firm and principals of the firm shall must disclose, at the time the application is submitted, any current or previous trusts managed in Virginia or in other jurisdictions, and any disciplinary actions taken against these trusts, the trust company, or the individuals managing the trusts. This includes any monetary penalties, fines, or disciplinary actions taken by any federal, state, or local regulatory agencies.

E. The trustee must meet the bonding requirements set forth in §§ 54.1-2317 and 54.1-2326 of the Code of Virginia as applicable.

F. In accordance with §§ 54.1-2317 and 54.1-2326 of the Code of Virginia, each trustee shall must disclose the following information about the trust firm or principals of the firm:

1. A conviction in any jurisdiction of any felony;

2. All misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude within five years of the date the application is submitted.

Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this chapter. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, in its discretion, may deny approval of a trustee application in accordance with § 54.1-2317 or § 54.1-2326 of the Code of Virginia.

Licenses and registrations issued under this chapter shall will expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued, as indicated on the license or registration.

Renewal of licenses and registrations shall must be on forms prescribed by the board. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation will mail a renewal application to notify the licensee or registrant of impending license expiration. The renewal application will be sent to the last known address of record.

Failure to receive this application shall notification will not relieve the licensee or regulant of the obligation to renew. The renewal application shall be completed in full prior to renewal of the license or registration.

A. If the requirements for renewal of a license or registration, including receipt of the fee by the board, are not complete within 30 days of the license or registration expiration date, the licensee or registrant shall will be required to reinstate the license or registration by meeting all renewal requirements and paying the reinstatement fee specified in 18VAC47-20-140.

B. A license or registration may be reinstated for up to one year five years following the expiration date with payment of the renewal and reinstatement fee. After one year five years, the license or registration may not be reinstated under any circumstances and the applicant must meet all current requirements and apply as a new applicant.

C. Any activity requiring a license or registration conducted subsequent to the expiration may constitute unlicensed or unregistered activity and be subject to prosecution under Chapter 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

A. When a license or registration is reinstated, the license or registration shall will continue to have the same number and shall will be assigned an expiration date two years from the previous expiration date of the license or registration last day of the month in which the license or registration was reinstated.

B. A licensee or registrant who reinstates his license or registration shall will be regarded as having been continuously licensed or registered without interruption. Therefore, the licensee or registrant shall will remain under the disciplinary authority of the board during this entire period and may be held accountable for his activities during this period.

C. A licensee or registrant who fails to reinstate his license or registration shall will be regarded as unlicensed from the expiration date of the license or registration forward.

A. The board may deny renewal or reinstatement of a license or registration for the same reasons as it may refuse initial licensure or registration or discipline a licensee or registrant.

B. The board may deny renewal or reinstatement of a license or registration if the applicant has not fully paid monetary penalties, satisfied sanctions and paid costs imposed by the board, plus any accrued interest.

A. All fees required by the board are nonrefundable. The date on which the fee is received by the department or its agent shall will determine whether the licensee or registrant is eligible for renewal or reinstatement or must reapply as a new applicant.

B. For renewal and reinstatement fees received between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2026, the fees are as follows:

A. Any change in the name and address of each cemetery in Virginia in which the cemetery company has a business interest, the name and address of all officers and directors of the cemetery company, the registered agent for the cemetery company, or the compliance agent must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days after the change as required by § 54.1-2311 of the Code of Virginia. A new license shall will be required if there is a change in ownership of the cemetery company or whenever the legal business entity holding a cemetery company license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity.

B. A cemetery company wishing to add a cemetery to its license shall must complete a form provided by the board and submit the fee as prescribed in 18VAC47-20-70. Both the cemetery company and the cemetery being added to the registration must meet the requirements found in Chapter 23.1 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and 18VAC47-20-30. Sales personnel of the new cemetery will be required to register in accordance with 18VAC47-20-40.

C. Any change in the name and home address of any registrant must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days after the change.

D. The board shall will not be responsible for the licensee's or registrant's failure to receive notices, communications and correspondence caused by the licensee's or registrant's failure to promptly notify the board of any change of address.

E. Sales personnel shall will be issued a registration to the compliance agent at the place of business of the licensed cemetery company with which the registrant is affiliated or at which the registrant is employed. When any registrant is discharged or in any way terminates his employment or affiliation with a licensed cemetery company, or when the cemetery company's license is suspended or revoked, it shall will be the duty of the compliance agent to return the registration to the board within 10 30 calendar days of the date of such discharge or termination.

A permanent record shall must be kept of every interment in the cemetery, showing the date of the interment, the name of the person interred, together with information identifying the specific location in which the interment was made. For interments made pursuant to § 54.1-2312.01 of the Code of Virginia, the permanent records shall must also include the type and name of the pet interred and the name of the owner with information identifying the specific location in which the pet interment was made.

A. Each licensed cemetery company shall must establish a perpetual care trust fund in accordance with § 54.1-2316 of the Code of Virginia.

B. If the trustee for the perpetual care trust fund is other than a Virginia trust company or trust subsidiary or a federally insured bank or savings institution doing business in the Commonwealth, the trustee shall must be approved by the board and shall must deposit a fidelity bond in accordance with § 54.1-2317 of the Code of Virginia.

C. Deposits into the fund shall must be made in accordance with §§ 54.1-2319 through 54.1-2321 of the Code of Virginia.

D. The income from the perpetual care trust fund shall must be used in accordance with § 54.1-2322 of the Code of Virginia.

E. Each licensed cemetery company shall must submit written financial reports regarding perpetual care trust funds to the board as prescribed by §§ 54.1-2323 and 54.1-2324 of the Code of Virginia.

F. Transfer of funds to another trustee shall must be done in accordance with § 54.1-2337 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Each licensed cemetery company shall must establish a preneed trust fund and make deposits in accordance with § 54.1-2315 § 54.1-2325 of the Code of Virginia.

B. If the trustee for the preneed trust fund is other than a Virginia trust company or trust subsidiary or a federally insured bank or savings institution doing business in the Commonwealth, the trustee shall must be approved by the board and shall must deposit a fidelity bond with the board in accordance with § 54.1-2326 of the Code of Virginia.

C. Deposits into the fund shall must be made in accordance with § 54.1-2325 of the Code of Virginia.

D. All funds shall must be handled in accordance with §§ 54.1-2329 through 54.1-2331 of the Code of Virginia.

E. Each licensed cemetery company shall must submit a written financial report regarding preneed trust accounts to the board as prescribed by § 54.1-2333 of the Code of Virginia.

F. Transfer of funds to another trustee shall must be done in accordance with § 54.1-2337 of the Code of Virginia.

A. Cemetery companies shall furnish must maintain a written general price list and a written itemized statement of goods and services they provide. This itemized statement shall must include, but is not limited to, burial vaults and other burial receptacles, other merchandise, facilities used, and other professional services. Prices for merchandise may be stated as a range of values. Prices for services must be specific for each type of service, including any difference in prices based on the day or time the service is provided. This list shall must be set forth in a clear and conspicuous manner.

The B. In accordance with § 54.1-2327 A of the Code of Virginia the list shall must be available in writing to individuals inquiring in person about burial arrangements or the prices of property or services. In addition, upon beginning a discussion of burial arrangements or the selection of any property or services, the general price list shall be offered by the cemetery property.

C. Prior to execution of any contract, cemetery companies shall must provide the general price list and itemized statement of goods and services to the individual or individuals entering the contract. The contract shall must include an acknowledgment signed by the individual or individuals and the cemetery sales personnel stating the cemetery company provided the general price list and itemized statement of goods and services to the individual or individuals prior to the execution of the contract.

A. All preneed burial contracts must be made on forms prescribed by the board in accordance with § 54.1-2328 of the Code of Virginia and must contain the following disclosures:

1. Identifies the seller, seller's license number, contract buyer and person for whom the contract is purchased if other than the contract buyer;

2. Contains a complete description of the property or services purchased;

3. Clearly discloses whether the price of the property and services purchased are guaranteed;

4. States, for funds required to be trusted pursuant to § 54.1-2325 of the Code of Virginia, the amount to be trusted and the name of the trustee;

5. Contains the name, address and telephone number of the board and lists the board as the regulatory agency which handles consumer complaints;

6. Provides that any purchaser who makes payment under the contract may terminate the agreement within three days of execution and that such purchaser shall be refunded all consideration paid or delivered, less amounts paid for any property or supplies that have been delivered;

7. Provides that if the particular property or services specified in the contract are unavailable at the time of delivery, the seller shall be required to furnish property or services similar in size and style and at least equal in quality of material and workmanship and that the representative of the deceased shall have the right to choose the property or services to be substituted, which shall must be at least equal or reasonably equivalent in quality of material, workmanship, and cost;

8. Discloses any additional costs that the purchaser may be required to pay at-need, including the disclosure of the cost of opening and closing the grave;

9. Complies with all disclosure requirements imposed by the board;

10. Is executed in duplicate and Provides a signed copy given to the buyer;

11. Provides that the contract buyer shall will have the right to change the contract provider at any time prior to the furnishing of the property or services, excluding any mausoleum crypt or garden crypt, contracted for under the preneed burial contract. If the contract seller will not be furnishing the property and services to the purchaser, the contract seller shall must attach to the preneed burial contract a copy of the seller's agreement with the provider.

B. Any preneed burial contract sold or offered by any cemetery company or agent with a trust fund deposit of less than 100% shall will be required to include the following printed statement in capitalized letters, in 10-point, bold-faced type:

THIS PRENEED BURIAL CONTRACT REQUIRES THE PLACEMENT IN TRUST OF A MINIMUM OF 40% OF THE FUNDS INCLUDED IN THIS CONTRACT. THE BALANCE OF FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CEMETERY AND ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE PLACED IN TRUST.

C. Each seller of a preneed burial contract shall must file with the board, upon request, a detailed account of all contracts and transactions regarding preneed burial contracts in accordance with § 54.1-2332 of the Code of Virginia.

Each cemetery company and cemetery affiliated with a cemetery company shall must be supervised by a compliance agent or designee. The compliance agent or designee shall must exercise reasonable and adequate supervision of the provision of services by employees of the cemetery company. Factors to be considered in determining whether the supervision is reasonable and adequate include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The availability of the compliance agent or designee to all cemetery company employees and to the public to answer questions within a reasonable time pertaining to the operation of the cemetery company.

2. The availability of training and written procedures and policies that provide, without limitation, clear guidance in the following areas:

a. Required deposits for the perpetual care trust fund;

b. Required deposits for the preneed trust fund;

c. Proper handling of preneed burial contracts;

d. Proper handling of deposits to the perpetual care trust fund;

e. Proper handling of deposits to the preneed trust fund;

f. Interment records;

g. Itemized statement of goods and services provided;

h. General price list;

i. Advertising;

j. Solicitation;

k. j. Proper care, maintenance, administration and embellishment of the cemetery;

l. k. Such other matters as necessary to assure the competence of licensees and registrants to comply with this chapter and Chapter 23.1 (§ 54.1-2310 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

All training courses shall must be approved by the board. The training course shall must be at least four two hours and include appropriate testing procedures to demonstrate an understanding of the topics. The training program shall must include, but is not limited, to the following topics:

1. Cemetery Board statute and regulations;

2. Perpetual care trust fund requirements;

3. Preneed trust fund requirements;

4. Preneed burial contracts;

5. Interment records;

6. General price list;

7. Itemized statement of goods and services provided;

8. Advertising; and

9. Solicitation;

10. Funeral rule; and

11. 9. Proper care, maintenance, administration, and embellishment of the cemetery.

A licensed cemetery company may establish a section in its cemetery devoted to the interment of pets or the interment of human remains and the pets of such deceased humans in accordance with § 54.1-2312.01 of the Code of Virginia. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply.