Sec. 651.157. INSPECTION OF CREMATORY OR FUNERAL ESTABLISHMENT. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a licensed crematory or funeral establishment shall be inspected at least once every three years by an agent of the commission or by an agent of the state or a political subdivision authorized by the commission to make inspections on its behalf.

(b) If the commission finds a violation of this chapter or of Chapter 193, 361, 711, 714, 715, or 716, Health and Safety Code, the commission shall inspect the crematory or funeral establishment annually until the commission determines that the establishment is free of violations.

(c) A report of each inspection made under this section shall be filed with the commission.

(d) The commission by rule shall establish:

(1) procedures for the inspection of a crematory or funeral establishment required by this section; and

(2) criteria, including consideration of the establishment's inspection and complaint history, regarding when the commission should inspect an establishment based on the risk of a violation at an establishment.

(e) A premises on which funeral directing, interment, cremation, or embalming is practiced shall be open at all times to inspection for any violation of this chapter or of Chapter 193, 361, or 716, Health and Safety Code, by:

(1) an agent of the commission;

(2) an authorized agent of the state; or

(3) an authorized agent of the county or municipality in which the premises is located.

(f) Before a commission agent inspects a crematory or funeral establishment, the agent shall review the inspection reports filed with the commission on the establishment. During the inspection, the agent shall determine whether previously identified problems have been corrected and whether a pattern of violations exists. The commission shall consider the information from the inspection reports in determining whether a penalty should be imposed against an establishment.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 682, Sec. 1.11, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 562, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 124 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 124 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2019.