HF 2432 (LSB 5063YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2432

BY  CROKEN

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 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  e.  Providing natural reduction services.
    Sec. 2.  Section 156.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7A.  “Natural reduction” means the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  7B.  “Natural reduction establishment” means a secure structure, room, or other space within a funeral establishment or on the property of a funeral establishment which provides any service related to natural reduction.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  156.6  Natural reduction services.
   1.  The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the provision of natural reduction services by funeral directors and the licensure of natural reduction establishments. The rules shall include a minimum setback distance of five hundred feet between a natural reduction establishment and any drinking water source.
   2.  The board shall inform each funeral director who operates a natural reduction establishment of cemeteries that are able to receive naturally reduced human remains pursuant to section 523I.18.
    Sec. 4.  Section 156.14, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, 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 2026, 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 2026, 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 2026, 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.  NEW SECTION.  523I.318  Interment of naturally reduced remains.
   1.  The commissioner shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the interment of naturally reduced remains at a cemetery. A cemetery that does not comply with rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall not inter naturally reduced remains.
   2.  The commissioner shall inform the board of mortuary science of each cemetery that is in compliance with rules of the commissioner regarding the interment of naturally reduced remains and has expressed interest in receiving naturally reduced remains.
   3.  For the purposes of this section, “naturally reduced remains” means human remains that have undergone natural reduction as defined in section 156.1.
    Sec. 9.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect July 1, 2027, except that the board of mortuary science and commissioner of insurance may adopt rules for 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, as defined in the bill. The bill requires the board of mortuary science to adopt rules for the provision of natural reduction services and the licensure of natural reduction establishments, which shall include a minimum setback distance of 500 feet from any drinking water source. 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.
   The bill requires the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) to adopt rules for the interment of naturally reduced human remains at a cemetery and prohibits a cemetery from interring naturally reduced human remains unless it complies with the rules of the commissioner. The bill directs the commissioner to inform the board of mortuary science of all cemeteries that can receive naturally reduced human remains.
   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 a natural reduction establishment license is subject to all penalties prescribed for making a false affidavit. A person who fails to comply with the rules of the commissioner relating to the interment of naturally reduced human remains commits an unfair practice and may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
   The bill takes effect July 1, 2027, except that the board of mortuary science and commissioner may adopt rules for implementation of the bill prior to that date.