House File 52 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 52 BY SORENSEN A BILL FOR An Act relating to the natural reduction of human remains, 1 making penalties applicable, and including effective date 2 provisions. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 1657YH (3) 90 ss/rh

H.F. 52 Section 1. Section 156.1, subsection 7, Code 2023, is 1 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 2 NEW PARAGRAPH . e. Providing natural reduction services. 3 Sec. 2. Section 156.1, Code 2023, is amended by adding the 4 following new subsections: 5 NEW SUBSECTION . 8. “Natural reduction” means the contained, 6 accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. 7 NEW SUBSECTION . 9. “Natural reduction establishment” means 8 a place of business as defined by the board which provides any 9 service related to natural reduction. 10 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION . 156.5 Natural reduction services. 11 The board shall adopt rules for the provision of natural 12 reduction services by funeral directors and the licensure of 13 natural reduction establishments. 14 Sec. 4. Section 156.14, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 15 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows: 16 A person shall not establish, conduct, or maintain a 17 funeral establishment , a natural reduction establishment, or a 18 cremation establishment in this state without a license. The 19 license shall be identified as an establishment license. 20 Sec. 5. Section 156.14, subsection 2, Code 2023, is amended 21 to read as follows: 22 2. The board shall specify by rule the licensing procedures 23 to be followed, including specifications of forms for use in 24 applying for an establishment license and fees for filing 25 an application. The board shall specify by rule minimum 26 standards for professional responsibility in the conduct of a 27 funeral establishment , a natural reduction establishment, or a 28 cremation establishment. 29 Sec. 6. Section 156.14, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 30 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows: 31 To qualify for a funeral establishment , a natural reduction 32 establishment, or a cremation establishment license, the 33 applicant shall submit to the board a license fee as determined 34 by the board and a completed application on a form prescribed 35 -1- LSB 1657YH (3) 90 ss/rh 1/ 2

H.F. 52 by the board that shall include the following information and 1 be given under oath: 2 Sec. 7. Section 156.15, subsection 1, Code 2023, is amended 3 to read as follows: 4 1. A funeral establishment , a natural reduction 5 establishment, or cremation establishment shall not be operated 6 until a license or renewal certificate has been issued to the 7 establishment by the board. 8 Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect July 1, 2024, 9 except that the board of mortuary science may adopt rules for 10 the implementation of this Act prior to that date. 11 EXPLANATION 12 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 13 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 14 This bill relates to the practice of natural reduction by 15 funeral directors. The bill defines “natural reduction” as the 16 contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. 17 The bill prohibits a person other than a funeral director 18 from providing natural reduction services and requires that 19 natural reduction services be provided in a natural reduction 20 establishment, defined in the bill. The bill requires the 21 board of mortuary sciences to adopt rules for the provision 22 of natural reduction services and the licensure of natural 23 reduction establishments. To qualify for a natural reduction 24 establishment license, the bill requires a person to submit an 25 application and license fee as determined by the board. By 26 operation of law, a person who violates a provision of the bill 27 may be subject to a civil penalty as determined by the board 28 and a person who makes a false statement in an application 29 for natural reduction establishment license is subject to all 30 penalties prescribed for making a false affidavit. The bill 31 takes effect July 1, 2024, except that the board of mortuary 32 science may adopt rules for the implementation of the bill 33 prior to that date. 34 -2- LSB 1657YH (3) 90 ss/rh 2/ 2