CT HB05354

Commissioner of Public Health must convene a working group to examine existing permitting processes, regulations, authorization forms, and agency approval processes to enable natural organic reduction (the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil) in Connecticut.

Working group shall include representatives from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Vital Records Office, Department of Consumer Protection, Environmental Engineering section, Practitioner Licensing program, a registrar of vital statistics, two funeral director/service business representatives, and other members as deemed necessary by the Commissioner.

Commissioner must submit a report to the joint standing committees on environment and public health by January 1, 2025, containing legislative recommendations for statutory revisions or enactments to authorize natural organic reduction for human remains disposition.

Report must include a proposed timeline for revising Department of Public Health regulations and other applicable state agency regulations to authorize natural organic reduction, including permitting processes, authorization forms, and approval processes.