Bill > HB2173

This bill updates Oklahoma's laws related to cremation and funeral services by making several key changes. It expands the definition of "crematory" to include reduction facilities that use alternative methods like alkaline hydrolysis, requires crematory operators to be registered with the Oklahoma Funeral Board, and prohibits selling cremation services via the Internet unless the seller owns a licensed funeral establishment or reduction facility within the state. The bill introduces a comprehensive new requirement for cremation authorization, mandating that a detailed signed form must be completed before cremation, which includes specific information about the deceased, the funeral home, cremation facility, and authorizing agent. The legislation also clarifies licensing requirements for crematories, specifying that they must be licensed in conjunction with a funeral or commercial embalming establishment and cannot advertise or solicit services independently. Additionally, the bill removes the previous annual reporting requirement for funeral establishments performing cremations and provides an effective date of November 1, 2025. These changes aim to enhance oversight, ensure proper documentation, and regulate the cremation process more thoroughly within Oklahoma.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2173&Session=2600