(a) The bureau shall adopt, and may from time to time amend, rules and regulations prescribing standards of knowledge and experience and financial responsibility for applicants for a crematory license. In reviewing an application for a crematory license, the bureau may consider acts of the applicant, including acts of incorporators, officers, directors, and stockholders of the applicant, which shall constitute grounds for the denial of a crematory license under Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).

(b) Upon receipt of an application for a crematory license, the bureau may cause an investigation to be made of the physical status, plans, specifications, and financing of the proposed crematory, the character of the applicant, including, if applicable, its officers, directors, shareholders, or members, and any other qualifications required of the applicant under this article, and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony.

(c)  At the time of the filing of the application required by this article, the applicant shall pay to the Cemetery and Funeral Fund the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) to defray the expenses of investigation. In the event the sum shall be insufficient to defray all of the expenses, the applicant shall, within five days after request therefor, deposit an additional sum sufficient to defray such expenses, provided that the total sum shall not exceed nine hundred dollars ($900).

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 625, Sec. 45. (SB 1443) Effective January 1, 2023.)