TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE BOARD OF EMBALMERS, FUNERAL DIRECTORS, CEMETERIES, AND BURIAL SERVICES; AND TO INCREASE THE CIVIL PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS BY A LICENSEE.

HB 1856 would have increased civil penalties for violations by licensed funeral and cemetery service providers in Arkansas. The bill specifically amended the law to double the maximum penalty for license violations, raising it from $500 to $1,000 per violation. This change directly affected embalmers, funeral directors, cemetery operators, and burial service professionals who fail to comply with state regulations or board orders. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was withdrawn by its author on April 3, 2025, before becoming law.