SF 407 (LSB 2323XS (3) 90)

SENATE FILE 407

BY  T. TAYLOR, DOTZLER, BENNETT, GIDDENS, KNOX, TRONE GARRIOTT, and CELSI

(COMPANION TO HF 52 BY SORENSEN)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the natural reduction of human remains, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 156.1, subsection 7, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  e.  Providing natural reduction services.
    Sec. 2.  Section 156.1, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  8.  “Natural reduction” means the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  9.  “Natural reduction establishment” means a place of business as defined by the board which provides any service related to natural reduction.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  156.5  Natural reduction services.
   The board shall adopt rules for the provision of natural reduction services by funeral directors and the licensure of natural reduction establishments.
    Sec. 4.  Section 156.14, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   A person shall not establish, conduct, or maintain a funeral establishment, a natural reduction establishment, or a cremation establishment in this state without a license. The license shall be identified as an establishment license.
    Sec. 5.  Section 156.14, subsection 2, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The board shall specify by rule the licensing procedures to be followed, including specifications of forms for use in applying for an establishment license and fees for filing an application. The board shall specify by rule minimum standards for professional responsibility in the conduct of a funeral establishment, a natural reduction establishment, or a cremation establishment.
    Sec. 6.  Section 156.14, subsection 3, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   To qualify for a funeral establishment, a natural reduction establishment, or a cremation establishment license, the applicant shall submit to the board a license fee as determined by the board and a completed application on a form prescribed by the board that shall include the following information and be given under oath:
    Sec. 7.  Section 156.15, subsection 1, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A funeral establishment, a natural reduction establishment, or cremation establishment shall not be operated until a license or renewal certificate has been issued to the establishment by the board.
    Sec. 8.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect July 1, 2024, except that the board of mortuary science may adopt rules for the implementation of this Act prior to that date.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   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, defined in the bill. The bill requires the board of mortuary sciences to adopt rules for the provision of natural reduction services and the licensure of natural reduction establishments. 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. 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 natural reduction establishment license is subject to all penalties prescribed for making a false affidavit. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, except that the board of mortuary science may adopt rules for the implementation of the bill prior to that date.