Bill
SB 4024
SB4024 creates a regulated licensing framework for transfer care specialists, detailing supervision, training, licensure, and disciplinary rules to ensure safe, documented removal
purpose and intent
- Create a dedicated regulatory framework for transfer care specialists, defined as individuals licensed to perform the removal of a deceased human body from its place of death under the supervision of a licensed funeral director or licensed funeral director and embalmer.
- Ensure transfer care activities occur within a fixed business location and are tightly supervised to protect public health and safety and to promote proper handling of remains.
Key provisions and changes
1) Definitions and scope
- Expands and clarifies terms such as:
- Funeral establishment/church/chapel/home/mortuary (with specific reference to transfer care specialists)
- General supervision vs. immediate and direct supervision
- Transfer care specialist: person licensed to perform removal of a deceased body under supervision
- Fixed place of business requirement for funeral establishments
- Chain of custody, address of record, and email address of record
- Defines “Uniquely identified” as individualized identification for the deceased.
2) Creation of Transfer Care Specialists Article (Article 11)
- Employee-regulatory framework for transfer care specialists, including:
- License requirement (Section 11-5)
- Supervision structure:
- General supervision: oversight via protocols, periodic review, or electronic/telephonic contact; supervisor accountable for supervisees
- Immediate and direct supervision: supervisor physically present to observe and correct as needed
- Employment prerequisites and employer/sponsor requirements
- Restrictions: transfer care specialists cannot independently remove bodies for funeral establishments other than their own employing establishment
3) Licensure requirements and qualifications
- License eligibility (11-15):
- Minimum age: 18
- Completion of a Department-approved in-person certification course (minimum 8 hours) covering:
- Laws/regulations, removal/transportation procedures, scene safety, PPE, infection control, body handling, anatomy basics, lifting techniques, removal procedures, transportation safety, communications, and documentation
- Demonstrated competence via at least 12 supervised removals under immediate and direct supervision (including at least 4 residential and 4 institutional removals)
- Employment with a funeral establishment authorized to employ transfer care specialists
- Sponsorship/supervision by a licensed funeral director or licensed funeral director and embalmer (limited to 2 transfer care specialists per sponsor)
- Adequate protection against communicable diseases
4) Licensure application, renewal, and display
- Application process (11-20):
- Written or electronic application with proof of qualifications, certification, and sponsor verification
- Required employer and sponsor information
- Issuance and display (11-25):
- Department issues transfer care specialist license upon meeting requirements
- License must be displayed conspicuously at the employing funeral establishment (license number visible)
5) License duration and continuing education
- Renewal cycle (11-30):
- Licenses expire May 30 of every odd-numbered year
- Renewal requires appropriate fees and evidence of at least 6 hours of continuing education in the 24 months before expiration
- CE providers must be Board-approved; CE credits may be earned through specific listed organizations/schools
- Restoration of lapsed licenses (if expired >2 years) requires fulfillment of Department rules and restoration fees
- Provisions for active-duty military service to restore without certain fees
- Repeal date for Article 11 provisions: January 1, 2030 (Sunset provision explicit in the bill)
6) Discipline and penalties
- Unlicensed practice and penalties (15-30, 15-75):
- Unlicensed practice is a Class A misdemeanor; repeated offenses can be a Class 4 felony
- Grounds for discipline align with existing Code, including but not limited to fraud, false records, improper handling, coercive advertising, misrepresentation, and violations of chain-of-custody, preparation room rules, and other standards
- Civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense for violations
- Grounds for discipline include a broad range of professional misconduct, including improper removal/handling, dishonesty, unprofessional conduct, and failure to comply with recordkeeping and reporting requirements
- Inheritance of disciplinary actions: actions can be taken by the Department and may be enforced by court injunctions when appropriate
7) Miscellaneous and procedural
- Address of record and email address rules apply to all applicants and licensees
- Section 11-40 requires Department rulemaking to implement Article 11
- Article 11 explicitly states applicability exclusions for Cook, DuPage, Lake, and McHenry counties (i.e., not applicable there)
Notable coexisting elements
- Aligns with preexisting Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code sections (definitions and practice standards) while adding transfer care-specific language
- Ties supervisory responsibility to the sponsor funeral director/employer and limits the number of transfer care specialists per sponsor
- Fixes a sunset timeline, suggesting contemporaneous review and possible changes by 2030
Potential impact
Timeline considerations
Who is affected
In sum, SB4024 creates a regulated, supervised framework for transfer care specialists in Illinois, defining qualifications, supervision standards, and disciplinary processes, while setting a clear timeline for licensure, renewal, and sunset of the Article.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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