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Bill > HB4695


IL HB4695

IL HB4695
CREMATORY-CEMETERY REGULATION


summary

Introduced
01/29/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amends the Crematory Regulation Act. Authorizes the Comptroller to issue citations or fines, or both, to licensees. Requires a cemetery authority to implement (i) a standard operating procedure and provide a copy to all employees; and (ii) a medical waste management plan. Authorizes the Comptroller to impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation under the Act. Allows the Comptroller to refuse to issue a license or take disciplinary action if the applicant or licensee has failed to pay delinquent taxes or child support. Requires the Comptroller, upon revocation or suspension of a license, to notify the county coroner or medical examiner who is responsible for the area where the crematory is located to immediately make arrangements to take possession of bodies and cremated remains and arrange for final disposition of any decedents in the possession of the suspended licensee after consulting with the authorized agents for those bodies. Provides that if no authorized agent can be contacted, the county coroner or medical examiner shall take possession of bodies and cremated remains within 72 hours of notification from the Comptroller. Requires a crematory authority to perform a cremation no more than 60 days from the date the human remains have been delivered to it unless the crematory authority has received specific instructions to the contrary on its cremation authorization form. Requires the crematory authority to notify the Comptroller and the coroner or medical examiner in the county in which the death occurred as to why the cremation cannot be performed if it is not done within the 60-day period. Provides that pacemakers do not need to be removed in alkaline hydrolysis cremations. Requires that cremated remains must be stored in a place free from exposure to the elements and be responsibly maintained until disposal. Makes other changes. Amends the Cemetery Care Act. Provides that if a cemetery authority owning or operating a privately owned cemetery has accepted care funds and is considered abandoned or seeks dissolution, it allows, if no receiver is available, a circuit court to order a willing unit of local government to take over the cemetery. Makes other changes.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Crematory Regulation Act and the Cemetery Care Act to enhance oversight and clarify procedures. The Comptroller, who oversees crematories, is granted new authority to issue citations and fines, with penalties for violations potentially reaching $10,000 per offense. The bill also allows the Comptroller to deny licenses or take disciplinary action against applicants or licensees who have failed to pay delinquent taxes or child support. In cases where a crematory license is revoked or suspended, the Comptroller must notify the local coroner or medical examiner to take possession of any bodies or cremated remains and arrange for their final disposition, with specific timelines for the coroner or medical examiner to act if authorized agents cannot be contacted. Crematories are now required to perform cremations within 60 days of receiving human remains, unless otherwise instructed, and must notify the Comptroller and the coroner or medical examiner of any delays. Notably, pacemakers will no longer need to be removed for alkaline hydrolysis cremations, and cremated remains must be stored in a secure, weather-protected location. For cemeteries, if a privately owned cemetery that has accepted care funds becomes abandoned or seeks dissolution, a circuit court can order a local government to take over the cemetery if no receiver is available, and any existing deed or care funds can be transferred to that local government.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

House State Government Administration Committee Hearing (14:00:00 2/25/2026 Room C-1 Stratton Building) (on 02/25/2026)

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