Hawaii House Bill HCR47

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Requesting The Senate Standing Committee And House Of Representatives Standing Committee Whose Purview Includes Consumer Protection, With The Support Of The Legislative Reference Bureau, To Convene A Legislative Working Group To Determine Recommendations For Establishing Appropriate Family Notice And Standardized Consent Provisions For Preneed Contracts Governing Cremation.

Impact

The working group is tasked with reviewing mortuary operations across the state and other jurisdictions to assess current practices regarding the collection, recycling, potential sale, and disposition of incombustible metal implants, which may include valuable metals like gold and platinum. By establishing standardized consent provisions in pre-need contracts for cremation services, the bill aims to promote ethical practices that ensure families are informed and give explicit permission regarding the handling of such materials, thus potentially preventing misuse or unauthorized sales.

Summary

HCR47 is a house concurrent resolution introduced in the State of Hawaii during the 2025 legislative session. The resolution requests the Senate and House committees that oversee consumer protection to establish a legislative working group aimed at addressing newly emerging issues related to the disposition of incombustible metal surgical implants post-cremation. The rise of cremation as a common final arrangement method and advancements in medical technology that involve metal implants have raised questions about the ethical and regulatory aspects of how these materials are handled after cremation.

Contention

Notable points of contention likely revolve around the degree of regulation imposed on cremation services and the obligation placed on service providers to obtain consent from families. The introduction of potential revenue streams through the sale of metal implants may also spur discussion around ethical considerations and the importance of safeguarding family interests in the aftermath of a loved one's death. Balancing the need for consumer protection with the operational realities of mortuaries will be crucial in the discussions led by the proposed working group.