Sec. 18.

(1) The commissioner may deny an application filed under this act and refuse to issue a permit or registration, or may suspend or revoke a permit or registration, or may reprimand, place on probation, or take other disciplinary action against the applicant if the commissioner's investigation reveals facts which, with reference to the establishment of a cemetery, show inappropriate physical plans; lack of community need; inadequate experience, financial stability, or integrity to protect the public welfare; or when the commissioner finds that the cemetery owner, operator, or applicant or the officers, cemetery owners, directors, members, affiliated persons, or general manager of those entities has done 1 or more of the following:

(a) Made a false statement of a material fact in the application.

(b) Not complied with this act.

(c) Been guilty of an unlawful or fraudulent act in connection with selling or otherwise dealing in cemetery lots and burial rights regulated by this act or funeral or cemetery merchandise and services regulated by the prepaid funeral and cemetery sales act, 1986 PA 255, MCL 328.211 to 328.235.

(d) Been guilty in the judgment of the commissioner of other conduct whether of the same or different character than specified in this act which constitutes dishonest and unfair dealing or a demonstration of lack of good moral character.

(e) Violated article 18 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.1801 to 339.1812.

(f) Violated the terms of an assurance of discontinuance entered into with the commissioner pursuant to section 9(5).

(g) Violated the prepaid funeral and cemetery sales act, 1986 PA 255, MCL 328.211 to 328.235.

(h) Failed to comply with section 2080 of the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.2080.

(i) Adopted, enforced, or attempted to enforce a regulation of the cemetery that prohibits the installation of a grave memorial or burial vault unless the grave memorial or burial vault was purchased from the cemetery. This subdivision does not prohibit a cemetery from adopting and enforcing consistent rules and regulations to be followed by both the cemetery and outside vendors as to the quality, size, shape, type, installation, and maintenance of the grave memorial or burial vault.

(2) If the commissioner denies an application for a permit or registration, or suspends or revokes an existing permit or registration required by this act, the denial, revocation, or suspension shall revoke the cemetery operation as to the sale or assignment of burial rights, entombment rights, or columbarium rights, cemetery merchandise, or cemetery services after the date of the suspension, revocation, or denial. The cemetery owner or operator shall fulfill all contractual obligations and agreements entered into before the date of the suspension, revocation, or denial, and shall make required interments for the owners of burial rights, entombment rights, or columbarium rights purchased before the date of suspension, revocation, or denial.

(3) The commissioner may impose an administrative fine of not more than $5,000.00 for each separate violation of this act.

History: 1968, Act 251, Eff. Sept. 15, 1968 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 102, Imd. Eff. Apr. 6, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 132, Imd. Eff. Apr. 20, 1982 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 22, Eff. Jan. 1, 2005 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 478, Imd. Eff. Jan. 12, 2009 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties of certain occupational functions, boards, and commissions from the Department of Licensing and Regulation to the Department of Commerce, see E.R.O. No. 1991-9, compiled at MCL 338.3501 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.