Washington Administrative Code Title 98 - Licensing, Department of (Cemetery Board) (Repealed)
The designation "Washington Administrative Code Title 98 - Licensing, Department of (Cemetery Board) (Repealed)" means that all the administrative rules previously contained under this specific Title and its chapters are no longer in effect.
When a WAC Title or chapter is "repealed," it signifies that the regulations have been formally withdrawn. This usually happens because:
Reorganization: The functions or regulatory authority previously held by that specific board or under those rules have been transferred to another agency, board, or division within the state government.
New Legislation: New state laws have been passed that supersede the existing administrative rules, requiring the creation of new regulations under a different WAC Title or agency.
Consolidation: Multiple related regulatory functions might be consolidated under a single, broader WAC Title for better efficiency.
What happened to the regulation of cemeteries in Washington State?
Even though Title 98 is repealed, the regulation of cemeteries and funeral services in Washington State absolutely still exists. The responsibilities previously housed under the "Cemetery Board" within the Department of Licensing have been transferred and are now primarily overseen by the Washington State Funeral and Cemetery Board.
You will now find the relevant administrative rules in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) under Title 308 - Department of Licensing, specifically within chapters related to the Funeral and Cemetery Board.
Key areas of cemetery and funeral regulation that are now found under WAC Title 308 include:
Licensing: Licensing requirements for cemetery operators, funeral directors, and embalmers.
Endowment Care Funds: Regulations concerning the perpetual care funds that cemeteries are required to maintain to ensure long-term maintenance of the grounds.
Prearrangement Contracts: Rules for contracts for funeral and cemetery services made in advance of need.
Crematories: Regulations for the operation of crematories and the disposition of cremated remains.
Cemetery Property: Rules related to the sale, transfer, and use of cemetery plots.
Fees: Applicable fees for licenses and services.
The underlying statutory authority for these regulations is primarily found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains, and RCW 18.39 (Embalmers and Funeral Directors).
So, while Title 98 is a historical record of past regulations, anyone seeking current rules for cemeteries in Washington State should look to WAC Title 308 and the relevant chapters overseen by the Funeral and Cemetery Board within the Department of Licensing.
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