HB 3158

Abstract

Creates the Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act. Provides that any person doing business in this State, or any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural organic reduction facility in the State and provide the necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic reduction of human remains in accordance with the Act. Provides that an individual or a person, cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic reduction facility operated by a disposition authority licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations provided in the Act. Provides for: grounds for denial or discipline; surrender of a license; license, display, transfer; authorizing agent; authorization for natural organic reduction; performance of natural organic reduction services, training; recordkeeping; natural organic reduction procedures; disposition of reduced human remains; limitation of liability; hazardous implants; penalties; failure to file an annual report; injunctive action, cease and desist order; service of notice; investigations, notice and hearing; compelling testimony; administrative review, venue, certification of record, costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that applications for licensure as a disposition authority shall be accompanied by a fee of $100 (instead of $250) and that renewal fees are $100 (instead of $250). Provides that each disposition authority shall file an annual report with the Comptroller, accompanied with a $25 fee plus $5 (instead of $15) for each natural organic reduction performed that calendar year. Specifies that the $25 annual report fee shall be deposited into the Comptroller's Administrative Fund, and the $5 fee for each natural organic reduction performed shall be deposited into the Cemetery Consumer Protection Fund. Removes language providing that the delivery of the reduced human remains may be made in person or by registered mail. Makes a grammatical correction. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes grammatical changes. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill, with the changes proposed in House Amendment No. 1 and House Amendment No. 2, and the following additional changes. Requires the vessels used for natural organic reduction to be made of stainless steel, to be leakproof, to promote aerobic reduction, and to allow for the continuous monitoring of the reduction process. Requires the natural organic reduction facility to have a ventilation system. Requires the reduction facility to meet or exceed requirements set by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (rather than standards set by the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Specifies that certain chemical analyses are to be performed by a laboratory accredited by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. Provides that, in the case of an event where the health of the public may be at risk or there are signs at a facility of a potential health hazard, the Illinois Department of Public Health shall be consulted to assess the natural organic reduction facility. Makes other technical changes. Effective January 1, 2025.