The Connecticut House of Representatives has passed a bill designed to help victims of fraudulent funeral service practices in Tolland and Hartford counties. The bill, officially named HB 5381, establishes a Funeral Service Guaranty Account to provide restitution to individuals and families who were victimized by fraudulent funeral services. The impetus for the bill was an investigation and arrest of funeral director Philip Pietras, who allegedly defrauded families out of thousands of dollars through personal use. Pietras was charged with 60 counts of intent to defraud funeral service contracts and 20 counts of second-degree larceny following an extensive investigation into allegations of fraudulent activity involving 66 pre-planned funeral contracts. The legislation was drafted in response to the affected families from funeral homes in various counties.