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Bill > HF2432

IA HF2432

IA HF2432
A bill for an act relating to the natural reduction of human remains, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions.

summary

Introduced
02/12/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to the practice of natural reduction by funeral directors. The bill defines “natural reduction” as the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. The bill prohibits a person other than a funeral director from providing natural reduction services and requires that natural reduction services be provided in a natural reduction establishment, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the board of mortuary science to adopt rules for the provision of natural reduction services and the licensure of natural reduction establishments, which shall include a minimum setback distance of 500 feet from any drinking water source. To qualify for a natural reduction establishment license, the bill requires a person to submit an application and license fee as determined by the board. The bill requires the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) to adopt rules for the interment of naturally reduced human remains at a cemetery and prohibits a cemetery from interring naturally reduced human remains unless it complies with the rules of the commissioner. The bill directs the commissioner to inform the board of mortuary science of all cemeteries that can receive naturally reduced human remains. By operation of law, a person who violates a provision of the bill may be subject to a civil penalty as determined by the board and a person who makes a false statement in an application for a natural reduction establishment license is subject to all penalties prescribed for making a false affidavit. A person who fails to comply with the rules of the commissioner relating to the interment of naturally reduced human remains commits an unfair practice and may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027, except that the board of mortuary science and commissioner may adopt rules for implementation of the bill prior to that date.

AI Summary

This bill establishes regulations for a new process called "natural reduction," which is defined as the contained and accelerated conversion of human remains into soil. Only licensed funeral directors can provide these services, and they must be performed in a designated "natural reduction establishment," which is defined as a secure space within or on the property of a funeral establishment. The bill mandates that the board of mortuary science, a state regulatory body, will create rules for natural reduction services and the licensing of these establishments, including a requirement that they be at least 500 feet away from any drinking water source. To get a license, applicants must submit an application and pay a fee. Additionally, the commissioner of insurance will develop rules for how naturally reduced remains can be buried in cemeteries, and cemeteries must follow these rules to accept such remains. The commissioner will also provide the board of mortuary science with a list of cemeteries that are authorized to inter naturally reduced remains. Violating these provisions can result in civil penalties, and making false statements on license applications carries penalties similar to those for false affidavits. Failing to comply with the commissioner's rules for interment is considered an unfair practice and can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. The bill will become effective on July 1, 2027, though the relevant state agencies can create rules for its implementation before that date.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, referred to State Government. H.J. 274. (on 02/12/2026)

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