HB 1041 Summary

• Crematories registered after July 1, 2017 must be supervised by a licensed funeral director who is responsible for compliance with funeral service, cremation, and human remains disposition laws and rules.

• Persons operating a cremation chamber must receive training and be certified as a crematory operator by July 1, 2018 through an approved organization such as the Cremation Association of North America or National Funeral Directors Association.

• Establishes alkaline hydrolysis as an alternative method for human remains disposition using water and chemical solutions containing potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide to dissolve remains.

• Requires the state board of funeral and cemetery service to adopt rules by January 1, 2018 governing alkaline hydrolysis facilities, dissolution chambers, bone fragment pulverization standards, and dignified transportation of remains.

• Creates criminal penalties including Level 6 felonies for performing alkaline hydrolysis without proper authorization and Class A misdemeanors for operating an unregistered alkaline hydrolysis facility.