Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah Senate Bill SB0084 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
2	2	1
3	3	Funeral Services Amendments
4	4	2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	5	STATE OF UTAH
6	6	Chief Sponsor: Jen Plumb
7	7	2
8	8
9	9	3
10	10	LONG TITLE
11	11	4
12	12	General Description:
13	13	5
14	14	This bill addresses natural organic reduction.
15	15	6
16	16	Highlighted Provisions:
17	17	7
18	18	This bill:
19	19	8
20	20	▸ defines terms;
21	21	9
22	22	▸ allows a funeral service establishment to offer natural organic reduction;
23	23	10
24	24	▸ requires that a funeral service director meet certain requirements if the funeral service
25	25	11
26	26	director offers natural organic reduction;
27	27	12
28	28	▸ grants immunity to a funeral service establishment that relies on a natural organic
29	29	13
30	30	reduction authorization form in carrying out natural organic reduction;
31	31	14
32	32	▸ updates a funeral service establishment's recordkeeping requirements;
33	33	15
34	34	▸ provides requirements for accepting remains for natural organic reduction;
35	35	16
36	36	▸ limits liability for a funeral service establishment providing natural organic reduction;
37	37	17
38	38	▸ provides the requirements for authorizing natural organic reduction;
39	39	18
40	40	▸ describes the procedure for natural organic reduction;
41	41	19
42	42	▸ provides the requirements for the final disposition of remains from the natural organic
43	43	20
44	44	reduction process;
45	45	21
46	46	▸ categorizes the use of remains from natural organic reduction to grow food as unlawful;
47	47	22
48	48	and
49	49	23
50	50	▸ makes technical changes.
51	51	24
52	52	Money Appropriated in this Bill:
53	53	25
54	54	None
55	55	26
56	56	Other Special Clauses:
57	57	27
58	58	None
59	59	28
60	60	Utah Code Sections Affected:
61	61	29
62	62	AMENDS:
63	63	30
64	64	26B-8-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 240
65	65	31
66	66	58-9-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 354 S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
67	67	32
68	68	58-9-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 137
69	69	33
70	70	58-9-501, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 144
71	71	34
72	72	58-9-601, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 326
73	73	35
74	74	58-9-606, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 326
75	75	36
76	76	58-9-613, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 111
77	77	37
78	78	58-9-614, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 326
79	79	38
80	80	58-9-615, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 326
81	81	39
82	82	58-9-618, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 326
83	83	40
84	84	ENACTS:
85	85	41
86	86	58-9-613.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
87	87	42
88	88	58-9-620, Utah Code Annotated 1953
89	89	43
90	90	58-9-621, Utah Code Annotated 1953
91	91	44
92	92	58-9-622, Utah Code Annotated 1953
93	93	45
94	94
95	95	46
96	96	Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
97	97	47
98	98	Section 1. Section 26B-8-201 is amended to read:
99	99	48
100	100	26B-8-201 . Definitions.
101	101	49
102	102	As used in this part:
103	103	50
104	104	(1) "Dead body" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-101.
105	105	51
106	106	(2)(a) "Death by violence" means death that resulted by the decedent's exposure to
107	107	52
108	108	physical, mechanical, or chemical forces.
109	109	53
110	110	(b) "Death by violence" includes death that appears to have been due to[ ] :
111	111	54
112	112	(i) homicide[, ] ;
113	113	55
114	114	(ii) death that occurred during or in an attempt to commit rape, mayhem, kidnapping,
115	115	56
116	116	robbery, burglary, housebreaking, extortion, or blackmail accompanied by threats
117	117	57
118	118	of violence[, ] ;
119	119	58
120	120	(iii) assault with a dangerous weapon[, ] ;
121	121	59
122	122	(iv) assault with intent to commit any offense punishable by imprisonment for more
123	123	60
124	124	than one year[, ] ;
125	125	61
126	126	(v) arson punishable by imprisonment for more than one year[,] ; or[ ]
127	127	62
128	128	(vi) any attempt to commit any of the [foregoing ]offenses described in Subsections
129	129	63
130	130	(2)(b)(i) through (v).
131	131	64
132	132	(3) "Immediate relative" means an individual's spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent,
133	133	65
134	134	or grandchild.
135	135	- 2 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
136	136	66
137	137	(4) "Health care professional" means any of the following while acting in a professional
138	138	67
139	139	capacity:
140	140	68
141	141	(a) a physician licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title
142	142	69
143	143	58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act;
144	144	70
145	145	(b) a physician assistant licensed under Title 58, Chapter 70a, Utah Physician Assistant
146	146	71
147	147	Act; or
148	148	72
149	149	(c) an advance practice registered nurse licensed under Subsection 58-31b-301(2)(e).
150	150	73
151	151	(5) "Medical examiner" means the state medical examiner appointed [pursuant to] in
152	152	74
153	153	accordance with Section 26B-8-202 or a deputy appointed by the medical examiner.
154	154	75
155	155	(6) "Medical examiner record" means:
156	156	76
157	157	(a) all information that the medical examiner obtains regarding a decedent;
158	158	77
159	159	(b) reports that the medical examiner makes regarding a decedent; and
160	160	78
161	161	(c) all administrative forms and correspondence related to a decedent's case.
162	162	79
163	163	(7) "Regional pathologist" means an American Board of Pathology certified pathologist
164	164	80
165	165	licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the state, appointed by the medical
166	166	81
167	167	examiner [pursuant to] in accordance with Subsection 26B-8-202(3).
168	168	82
169	169	(8) "Sudden death while in apparent good health" means apparently instantaneous death
170	170	83
171	171	without obvious natural cause, death during or following an unexplained syncope or
172	172	84
173	173	coma, or death during an acute or unexplained rapidly fatal illness.
174	174	85
175	175	(9) "Sudden unexpected infant death" means the death of a child who was thought to be in
176	176	86
177	177	good health or whose terminal illness appeared to be so mild that the possibility of a
178	178	87
179	179	fatal outcome was not anticipated.
180	180	88
181	181	(10) "Suicide" means death caused by an intentional and voluntary act of an individual who
182	182	89
183	183	understands the physical nature of the act and intends by such act to accomplish
184	184	90
185	185	self-destruction.
186	186	91
187	187	(11) "Unattended death" means a death that occurs more than 365 days after the day on
188	188	92
189	189	which a health care professional examined or treated the deceased individual for any
190	190	93
191	191	purpose, including writing a prescription.
192	192	94
193	193	(12)(a) "Unavailable for postmortem investigation" means that a dead body is:
194	194	95
195	195	(i) transported out of state;
196	196	96
197	197	(ii) buried at sea;
198	198	97
199	199	(iii) cremated;
200	200	98
201	201	(iv) processed by alkaline hydrolysis;[ or]
202	202	99
203	203	(v) processed by natural organic reduction; or
204	204	- 3 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
205	205	100
206	206	[(v)] (vi) otherwise made unavailable to the medical examiner for postmortem
207	207	101
208	208	investigation or autopsy.
209	209	102
210	210	(b) "Unavailable for postmortem investigation" does not include embalming or burial of
211	211	103
212	212	a dead body [pursuant to] in accordance with the requirements of law.
213	213	104
214	214	(13) "Within the scope of the decedent's employment" means all acts reasonably necessary
215	215	105
216	216	or incident to the performance of work, including matters of personal convenience and
217	217	106
218	218	comfort not in conflict with specific instructions.
219	219	107
220	220	Section 2. Section 58-9-102 is amended to read:
221	221	108
222	222	58-9-102 . Definitions.
223	223	109
224	224	[In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102, as] As used in this chapter:
225	225	110
226	226	(1)(a) "Alkaline hydrolysis" means a water-based dissolution process using alkaline
227	227	111
228	228	chemicals, heat, and sometimes agitation or pressure that reduces human remains to a
229	229	112
230	230	liquid and to dry bone residue[ and ] .
231	231	113
232	232	(b) "Alkaline hydrolysis" includes the disposal of the liquid and the processing and
233	233	114
234	234	pulverization of the dry bone residue.
235	235	115
236	236	(2) "Alkaline hydrolysis chamber" means the enclosed space within which the alkaline
237	237	116
238	238	hydrolysis process takes place and that is used exclusively for alkaline hydrolysis of
239	239	117
240	240	human remains.
241	241	118
242	242	(3) "Alkaline hydrolysis container" means a container:
243	243	119
244	244	(a) in which human remains are transported to a funeral service establishment and
245	245	120
246	246	placed in an alkaline hydrolysis chamber for [resomation] the alkaline hydrolysis
247	247	121
248	248	process; and
249	249	122
250	250	(b) that meets substantially all of the following standards:
251	251	123
252	252	(i) able to be closed in order to provide a complete covering for the human remains;
253	253	124
254	254	(ii) resistant to leakage or spillage;
255	255	125
256	256	(iii) rigid enough for handling with ease; and
257	257	126
258	258	(iv) able to provide protection for the health, safety, and personal integrity of
259	259	127
260	260	crematory personnel.
261	261	128
262	262	(4) "Authorizing agent" means a person legally entitled to authorize the cremation, natural
263	263	129
264	264	organic reduction, or the alkaline hydrolysis process of human remains.
265	265	130
266	266	(5) "Beneficiary" means the individual who, at the time of the individual's death, is to
267	267	131
268	268	receive the benefit of the property and services purchased under a preneed funeral
269	269	132
270	270	arrangement.
271	271	133
272	272	(6) "Board" means the Board of Funeral Service created in Section 58-9-201.
273	273	- 4 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
274	274	134
275	275	(7) "Body part" means:
276	276	135
277	277	(a) a limb or other portion of the anatomy that is removed from [a person] an individual
278	278	136
279	279	or human remains for medical purposes during treatment, surgery, biopsy, autopsy,
280	280	136a
281	281	or
282	282	137
283	283	medical research; or
284	284	138
285	285	(b) a human body or any portion of a body that has been donated to science for medical
286	286	139
287	287	research purposes.
288	288	140
289	289	(8) "Buyer" means a person [who] that purchases a preneed funeral arrangement.
290	290	141
291	291	(9) "Calcination" means a process in which a dead human body is reduced by intense heat
292	292	142
293	293	to a residue that is not as substantive as the residue that follows cremation.
294	294	143
295	295	(10) "Cremated remains" means all the remains of a cremated body recovered after the
296	296	144
297	297	completion of the cremation process, including pulverization [which] that leaves only
298	298	145
299	299	bone fragments reduced to unidentifiable dimensions and may possibly include the
300	300	146
301	301	residue of foreign matter including casket material, bridgework, or eyeglasses that were
302	302	147
303	303	cremated with the human remains.
304	304	148
305	305	(11)(a) "Cremation" means the technical process, using direct flame and heat, or a
306	306	149
307	307	chemical process, that reduces human remains to bone fragments through heat and
308	308	150
309	309	evaporation, or a chemical process[, and ] .
310	310	151
311	311	(b) "Cremation" includes the processing and usually the pulverization of the bone
312	312	152
313	313	fragments.
314	314	153
315	315	(12) "Cremation chamber" means the enclosed space within which the cremation process
316	316	154
317	317	takes place and which is used exclusively for the cremation of human remains.
318	318	155
319	319	(13) "Cremation container" means the container:
320	320	156
321	321	(a) in which the human remains are transported to the crematory and placed in the
322	322	157
323	323	cremation chamber for cremation; and
324	324	158
325	325	(b) that meets substantially all of the following standards:
326	326	159
327	327	(i) composed of readily combustible or consumable materials suitable for cremation;
328	328	160
329	329	(ii) able to be closed in order to provide a complete covering for the human remains;
330	330	161
331	331	(iii) resistant to leakage or spillage;
332	332	162
333	333	(iv) rigid enough for handling with ease; and
334	334	163
335	335	(v) able to provide protection for the health, safety, and personal integrity of
336	336	164
337	337	crematory personnel.
338	338	165
339	339	(14) "Crematory" means the building or portion of a building that houses the cremation
340	340	166
341	341	chamber and the holding facility.
342	342	- 5 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
343	343	167
344	344	(15) "Direct disposition" means the disposition of a dead human body:
345	345	168
346	346	(a) as quickly as law allows;
347	347	169
348	348	(b) without preparation of the body by embalming; and
349	349	170
350	350	(c) without an attendant funeral service or graveside service.
351	351	171
352	352	(16) "Disposition" means the final disposal of a dead human body by:
353	353	172
354	354	(a) earth interment;
355	355	173
356	356	(b) above ground burial;
357	357	174
358	358	(c) cremation;
359	359	175
360	360	(d) calcination;
361	361	176
362	362	(e) alkaline hydrolysis;
363	363	177
364	364	(f) burial at sea;
365	365	178
366	366	(g) delivery to a medical institution;[ or]
367	367	179
368	368	(h) natural organic reduction; or
369	369	180
370	370	[(h)] (i) other lawful means.
371	371	181
372	372	(17) "Embalming" means replacing body fluids in a dead human body with preserving and
373	373	182
374	374	disinfecting chemicals.
375	375	183
376	376	(18)(a) "Funeral merchandise" means any of the following into which a dead human
377	377	184
378	378	body is placed in connection with the transportation or disposition of the body:
379	379	185
380	380	(i) a vault;
381	381	186
382	382	(ii) a casket; or
383	383	187
384	384	(iii) other personal property.
385	385	188
386	386	(b) "Funeral merchandise" does not include:
387	387	189
388	388	(i) a mausoleum crypt;
389	389	190
390	390	(ii) an interment receptacle preset in a cemetery; or
391	391	191
392	392	(iii) a columbarium niche.
393	393	192
394	394	(19) "Funeral service" means a service, rite, or ceremony performed:
395	395	193
396	396	(a) with respect to the death of a human; and
397	397	194
398	398	(b) with the body of the deceased present.
399	399	195
400	400	(20) "Funeral service director" means an individual licensed under this chapter who may
401	401	196
402	402	engage in all lawful professional activities regulated and defined under the practice of
403	403	197
404	404	funeral service.
405	405	198
406	406	(21)(a) "Funeral service establishment" means a place of business at a specific street
407	407	199
408	408	address or location licensed under this chapter that is devoted to:
409	409	200
410	410	(i) the embalming, care, custody, shelter, preparation for burial, and final disposition
411	411	- 6 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
412	412	201
413	413	of dead human bodies; and
414	414	202
415	415	(ii) the furnishing of services, merchandise, and products purchased from the
416	416	203
417	417	establishment as a preneed provider under a preneed funeral arrangement.
418	418	204
419	419	(b) "Funeral service establishment" includes:
420	420	205
421	421	(i) all portions of the business premises and all tools, instruments, and supplies used
422	422	206
423	423	in the preparation and embalming of dead human bodies for burial, cremation,
424	424	207
425	425	alkaline hydrolysis, natural organic reduction, and final disposition by other
426	426	208
427	427	lawful means as defined by division rule; and
428	428	209
429	429	(ii) a facility used by the business in which funeral services may be conducted.
430	430	210
431	431	(22) "Funeral service intern" means an individual licensed under this chapter who is
432	432	211
433	433	permitted to:
434	434	212
435	435	(a) assist a funeral service director in the embalming or other preparation of a dead
436	436	213
437	437	human body for disposition;
438	438	214
439	439	(b) assist a funeral service director in the cremation, calcination, alkaline hydrolysis,
440	440	215
441	441	natural organic reduction, or pulverization of a dead human body or [its] the body's
442	442	216
443	443	remains; and
444	444	217
445	445	(c) perform other funeral service activities under the supervision of a funeral service
446	446	218
447	447	director.
448	448	219
449	449	(23) "Graveside service" means a funeral service held at the location of disposition.
450	450	220
451	451	(24) "Memorial service" means a service, rite, or ceremony performed:
452	452	221
453	453	(a) with respect to the death of a human; and
454	454	222
455	455	(b) without the body of the deceased present.
456	456	223
457	457	(25) "Natural organic reduction" means the contained, accelerated conversion of human
458	458	224
459	459	remains to soil.
460	460	225
461	461	[(25)] (26) "Practice of funeral service" means:
462	462	226
463	463	(a) supervising the receipt of custody and transportation of a dead human body to
464	464	227
465	465	prepare the body for:
466	466	228
467	467	(i) disposition; or
468	468	229
469	469	(ii) shipment to another location;
470	470	230
471	471	(b) entering into a contract with a person to provide professional services regulated
472	472	231
473	473	under this chapter;
474	474	232
475	475	(c) embalming or otherwise preparing a dead human body for disposition;
476	476	233
477	477	(d) supervising the arrangement or conduct of:
478	478	234
479	479	(i) a funeral service;
480	480	- 7 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
481	481	235
482	482	(ii) a graveside service; or
483	483	236
484	484	(iii) a memorial service;
485	485	237
486	486	(e) cremation, calcination, alkaline hydrolysis, natural organic reduction, or
487	487	238
488	488	pulverization of a dead human body or the body's remains;
489	489	239
490	490	(f) supervising the arrangement of:
491	491	240
492	492	(i) a disposition; or
493	493	241
494	494	(ii) a direct disposition;
495	495	242
496	496	(g) facilitating:
497	497	243
498	498	(i) a disposition; or
499	499	244
500	500	(ii) a direct disposition;
501	501	245
502	502	(h) supervising the sale of funeral merchandise by a funeral establishment;
503	503	246
504	504	(i) managing or otherwise being responsible for the practice of funeral service in a
505	505	247
506	506	licensed funeral service establishment;
507	507	248
508	508	(j) supervising the sale of a preneed funeral arrangement; and
509	509	249
510	510	(k) contracting with or employing individuals to sell a preneed funeral arrangement.
511	511	250
512	512	[(26)] (27)(a) "Preneed funeral arrangement" means a written or oral agreement sold in
513	513	251
514	514	advance of the death of the beneficiary under which a person agrees with a buyer to
515	515	252
516	516	provide at the death of the beneficiary any of the following as are typically provided
517	517	253
518	518	in connection with a disposition:
519	519	254
520	520	(i) goods;
521	521	255
522	522	(ii) services, including:
523	523	256
524	524	(A) embalming services; and
525	525	257
526	526	(B) funeral directing services;
527	527	258
528	528	(iii) real property; or
529	529	259
530	530	(iv) personal property, including:
531	531	260
532	532	(A) a casket;
533	533	261
534	534	(B) another primary container;
535	535	262
536	536	(C) a cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, natural organic reduction, or transportation
537	537	263
538	538	container;
539	539	264
540	540	(D) an outer burial container;
541	541	265
542	542	(E) a vault;
543	543	266
544	544	(F) a grave liner;
545	545	267
546	546	(G) funeral clothing and accessories;
547	547	268
548	548	(H) a monument;
549	549	- 8 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
550	550	269
551	551	(I) a grave marker; and
552	552	270
553	553	(J) a cremation or alkaline hydrolysis urn.
554	554	271
555	555	(b) "Preneed funeral arrangement" does not include a policy or product of life insurance
556	556	272
557	557	providing a death benefit cash payment upon the death of the beneficiary [which] that
558	558	273
559	559	is not limited to providing the products or services described in Subsection [(26)(a)]
560	560	274
561	561	(27)(a).
562	562	275
563	563	[(27)] (28) "Processing" means the reduction of identifiable bone fragments after the
564	564	276
565	565	completion of the cremation, natural organic reduction, or the alkaline hydrolysis
566	566	277
567	567	process to unidentifiable bone fragments by manual means.
568	568	278
569	569	[(28)] (29) "Pulverization" means the reduction of identifiable bone fragments after the
570	570	279
571	571	completion of the cremation or alkaline hydrolysis and processing to granulated particles
572	572	280
573	573	by manual or mechanical means.
574	574	281
575	575	[(29) "Resomation" means the alkaline hydrolysis process.]
576	576	282
577	577	(30) "Sales agent" means an individual licensed under this chapter as a preneed funeral
578	578	283
579	579	arrangement sales agent.
580	580	284
581	581	(31) "Temporary container" means a receptacle for cremated or alkaline hydrolysis remains
582	582	285
583	583	usually made of cardboard, plastic, or similar material designed to hold the cremated
584	584	286
585	585	remains until an urn or other permanent container is acquired.
586	586	287
587	587	(32) "Unlawful conduct" means the same as that term is defined in Sections 58-1-501 and
588	588	288
589	589	58-9-501.
590	590	289
591	591	(33) "Unprofessional conduct" means the same as that term is defined in Sections 58-1-501
592	592	290
593	593	and 58-9-502.
594	594	291
595	595	(34) "Urn" means a receptacle designed to permanently encase cremated or alkaline
596	596	292
597	597	hydrolysis remains.
598	598	293
599	599	Section 3. Section 58-9-302 is amended to read:
600	600	294
601	601	58-9-302 . Qualifications for licensure.
602	602	295
603	603	(1) Each applicant for licensure as a funeral service director shall:
604	604	296
605	605	(a) submit an application in a form [prescribed by the division] the division approves;
606	606	297
607	607	(b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
608	608	298
609	609	(c) have obtained a high school diploma or [its] the equivalent[ or a higher education
610	610	299
611	611	degree];
612	612	300
613	613	(d) have obtained an associate degree, or [its] the equivalent, in mortuary science from a
614	614	301
615	615	school of funeral service accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service
616	616	302
617	617	Education or other accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
618	618	- 9 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
619	619	303
620	620	(e) have completed not less than 2,000 hours and 50 embalmings of satisfactory
621	621	304
622	622	performance in training as a licensed funeral service intern under the supervision of a
623	623	305
624	624	licensed funeral service director; and
625	625	306
626	626	(f) obtain a passing score on examinations approved by the division in collaboration
627	627	307
628	628	with the board.
629	629	308
630	630	(2) Each applicant for licensure as a funeral service intern shall:
631	631	309
632	632	(a) submit an application in a form [prescribed by the division] the division approves;
633	633	310
634	634	(b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
635	635	311
636	636	(c) have obtained a high school diploma or [its] the equivalent[ or a higher education
637	637	312
638	638	degree]; and
639	639	313
640	640	(d) obtain a passing score on an examination approved by the division in collaboration
641	641	314
642	642	with the board.
643	643	315
644	644	(3) Each applicant for licensure as a funeral service establishment and each funeral service
645	645	316
646	646	establishment licensee shall:
647	647	317
648	648	(a) submit an application in a form [prescribed by the division] the division approves;
649	649	318
650	650	(b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
651	651	319
652	652	(c) have in place:
653	653	320
654	654	(i) an embalming room for preparing dead human bodies for burial or final
655	655	321
656	656	disposition, which may serve one or more facilities operated by the applicant;
657	657	322
658	658	(ii) a refrigeration room that maintains a temperature of not more than 40 degrees
659	659	323
660	660	fahrenheit for preserving dead human bodies [prior to] before burial or[ final]
661	661	324
662	662	disposition, which may serve one or more facilities operated by the applicant; and
663	663	325
664	664	(iii) maintain at all times a licensed funeral service director who is responsible for the
665	665	326
666	666	day-to-day operation of the funeral service establishment and who is personally
667	667	327
668	668	available to perform the services for which the license is required;
669	669	328
670	670	(d) affiliate with a licensed preneed funeral arrangement sales agent or funeral service
671	671	329
672	672	director if the funeral service establishment sells preneed funeral arrangements;
673	673	330
674	674	(e) file with the completed application a copy of each form of contract or agreement the
675	675	331
676	676	applicant will use in the sale of preneed funeral arrangements;
677	677	332
678	678	(f) provide evidence of appropriate licensure with the Insurance Department if the
679	679	333
680	680	applicant intends to engage in the sale of any preneed funeral arrangements funded in
681	681	334
682	682	whole or in part by an insurance policy or product to be sold by the provider or the
683	683	335
684	684	provider's sales agent; and
685	685	336
686	686	(g) if the applicant intends to offer alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction in a
687	687	- 10 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
688	688	337
689	689	funeral service establishment, provide evidence that in accordance with rules made
690	690	338
691	691	by the division in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
692	692	339
693	693	Rulemaking Act:
694	694	340
695	695	(i) the funeral service establishment meets the minimum standards for the handling,
696	696	341
697	697	holding, and processing of deceased human remains in a safe, clean, private, and
698	698	342
699	699	respectful manner; and
700	700	343
701	701	(ii) all operators of the alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction equipment
702	702	344
703	703	have received adequate training.
704	704	345
705	705	(4) Each applicant for licensure as a preneed funeral arrangement sales agent shall:
706	706	346
707	707	(a) submit an application in a form [prescribed by the division] the division approves;
708	708	347
709	709	(b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63J-1-504;
710	710	348
711	711	(c) have obtained a high school diploma or [its] the equivalent[ or a higher education
712	712	349
713	713	degree];
714	714	350
715	715	(d) have obtained a passing score on an examination approved by the division in
716	716	351
717	717	collaboration with the board;
718	718	352
719	719	(e) affiliate with a licensed funeral service establishment; and
720	720	353
721	721	(f) provide evidence of appropriate licensure with the Insurance Department if the
722	722	354
723	723	applicant intends to engage in the sale of any preneed funeral arrangements funded in
724	724	355
725	725	whole or in part by an insurance policy or product.
726	726	356
727	727	Section 4. Section 58-9-501 is amended to read:
728	728	357
729	729	58-9-501 . Unlawful conduct.
730	730	358
731	731	"Unlawful conduct" includes:
732	732	359
733	733	(1) doing any of the following to prepare a dead human body for disposition unless licensed
734	734	360
735	735	as a funeral service director or a funeral service intern:
736	736	361
737	737	(a) embalming;
738	738	362
739	739	(b) calcinating;
740	740	363
741	741	(c) pulverizing;
742	742	364
743	743	(d) cremating; or
744	744	365
745	745	(e) using any method that invades a dead human body;
746	746	366
747	747	(2) using the title "funeral service director," "funeral service intern," "preneed funeral
748	748	367
749	749	service sales agent," or "funeral service establishment" unless licensed under this
750	750	368
751	751	chapter;
752	752	369
753	753	(3) engaging in, providing, or agreeing to provide funeral arrangements to be provided
754	754	370
755	755	under a preneed funeral arrangement without first obtaining a license as a funeral service
756	756	- 11 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
757	757	371
758	758	establishment under this chapter;
759	759	372
760	760	(4) engaging in selling, representing for sale, or in any other way offering to sell any
761	761	373
762	762	contract under which preneed funeral arrangements are to be provided without first
763	763	374
764	764	obtaining a license under this chapter as:
765	765	375
766	766	(a) a preneed funeral arrangement sales agent; or
767	767	376
768	768	(b) a funeral service director;[ and]
769	769	377
770	770	(5) failing to comply with Section 58-9-702[.] ; and
771	771	378
772	772	(6) in the course of a person's business, vocation, or occupation, knowingly using the soil
773	773	379
774	774	produced by the natural organic reduction process to grow food for human consumption.
775	775	380
776	776	Section 5. Section 58-9-601 is amended to read:
777	777	381
778	778	58-9-601 . Advance directions.
779	779	382
780	780	(1) [A person] An individual may provide written directions, acknowledged before a notary
781	781	383
782	782	public or executed with the same formalities required of a will under Section 75-2-502,
783	783	384
784	784	to direct the preparation, type, and place of the [person's] individual's disposition,
785	785	385
786	786	including:
787	787	386
788	788	(a) designating a funeral service establishment;
789	789	387
790	790	(b) providing directions for burial arrangements;
791	791	388
792	792	(c) providing directions for cremation arrangements;[ or]
793	793	389
794	794	(d) providing directions for alkaline hydrolysis arrangements[.] ; or
795	795	390
796	796	(e) providing directions for natural organic reduction.
797	797	391
798	798	(2) A funeral service director shall carry out the written directions of the decedent prepared
799	799	392
800	800	under this section to the extent that:
801	801	393
802	802	(a) the directions are lawful; and
803	803	394
804	804	(b) the decedent has provided resources to carry out the directions.
805	805	395
806	806	(3) [Directions] A funeral services director shall carry out the written directions for
807	807	396
808	808	disposition contained in a will [shall be carried out pursuant to] in accordance with
809	809	397
810	810	Subsection (2) regardless of:
811	811	398
812	812	(a) the validity of other aspects of the will; or
813	813	399
814	814	(b) the fact that the will may not be offered or admitted to probate until a later date.
815	815	400
816	816	(4) [A person] An individual may change or cancel written directions prepared under this
817	817	401
818	818	section at any time [prior to] before the [person's] individual's death by providing written
819	819	402
820	820	notice to all applicable persons, including:
821	821	403
822	822	(a) if the written directions designate a funeral service establishment or funeral service
823	823	404
824	824	director, the funeral service establishment or funeral service director designated in the
825	825	- 12 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
826	826	405
827	827	written directions; and
828	828	406
829	829	(b) if the written directions are contained in a will, the personal representative as defined
830	830	407
831	831	in Section 75-1-201.
832	832	408
833	833	Section 6. Section 58-9-606 is amended to read:
834	834	409
835	835	58-9-606 . Right to rely -- Immunity.
836	836	410
837	837	(1) A person signing a funeral service agreement, cremation authorization form, alkaline
838	838	411
839	839	hydrolysis authorization form, natural organic reduction authorization form, or other
840	840	412
841	841	authorization for a decedent's disposition warrants the truthfulness of the facts set forth
842	842	413
843	843	in the document, including the identity of the decedent and the person's authority to
844	844	414
845	845	order the disposition.
846	846	415
847	847	(2) A funeral service establishment has the right to rely on a contract or authorization
848	848	416
849	849	executed under Subsection (1) and may carry out the instructions of the person whom [its]
850	850	417
851	851	the funeral service establishment's funeral service director reasonably believes holds the
852	852	418
853	853	right of disposition.
854	854	419
855	855	(3) A funeral service director incurs no civil or criminal liability for failure to contact or
856	856	420
857	857	independently investigate the existence of any next-of-kin or relative of the decedent.
858	858	421
859	859	(4) If there are at least two persons in the nearest class of the next-of-kin who are equal in
860	860	422
861	861	priority and a funeral service director has no knowledge of an objection by other
862	862	423
863	863	members of the class, the funeral service director may rely on and act according to the
864	864	424
865	865	instructions of the first person in the class to make funeral and disposition arrangements.
866	866	425
867	867	(5) A funeral service establishment or funeral service director who relies in good faith on
868	868	426
869	869	the instructions of a person claiming the right of disposition under this part is immune
870	870	427
871	871	from civil and criminal liability and disciplinary action in carrying out the disposition of
872	872	428
873	873	a decedent's remains in accordance with that person's instructions.
874	874	429
875	875	Section 7. Section 58-9-613 is amended to read:
876	876	430
877	877	58-9-613 . Authorization for alkaline hydrolysis -- Penalties for removal of items
878	878	431
879	879	from human remains.
880	880	432
881	881	(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a funeral service establishment may not
882	882	433
883	883	perform alkaline hydrolysis on human remains until the funeral service establishment
884	884	434
885	885	has received:
886	886	435
887	887	(a) an alkaline hydrolysis authorization form signed by an authorizing agent;
888	888	436
889	889	(b) a completed and executed burial transit permit or similar document, as provided by
890	890	437
891	891	state law, indicating that disposition of the human remains is to be by alkaline
892	892	438
893	893	hydrolysis; and
894	894	- 13 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
895	895	439
896	896	(c) any other documentation required by the state, county, or municipality.
897	897	440
898	898	(2)(a) The alkaline hydrolysis authorization form shall contain, at a minimum, the
899	899	441
900	900	following information:
901	901	442
902	902	(i) the identity of the human remains and the time and date of death, including a
903	903	443
904	904	signed declaration of visual identification of the deceased or refusal to visually
905	905	444
906	906	identify the deceased;
907	907	445
908	908	(ii) the name of the funeral director and funeral service establishment that obtained
909	909	446
910	910	the alkaline hydrolysis authorization;
911	911	447
912	912	(iii) notification as to whether the death occurred from a disease declared by the
913	913	448
914	914	Department of Health and Human Services to be infectious, contagious,
915	915	449
916	916	communicable, or dangerous to the public health;
917	917	450
918	918	(iv) the name of the authorizing agent and the relationship between the authorizing
919	919	451
920	920	agent and the decedent;
921	921	452
922	922	(v) a representation that the authorizing agent has the right to authorize the
923	923	453
924	924	disposition of the decedent by alkaline hydrolysis and that the authorizing agent is
925	925	454
926	926	not aware of any living [person] individual with a superior or equal priority right to
927	927	455
928	928	that of the authorizing agent, except that if there is another living [person]
929	929	456
930	930	individual with a superior or equal priority right, the alkaline hydrolysis
931	931	457
932	932	authorization form shall contain a representation that the authorizing agent has:
933	933	458
934	934	(A) made reasonable efforts to contact that [person] individual;
935	935	459
936	936	(B) been unable to do so; and
937	937	460
938	938	(C) no reason to believe that the [person] individual would object to the disposition
939	939	461
940	940	of the decedent by alkaline hydrolysis;
941	941	462
942	942	(vi) authorization for the funeral service establishment to use alkaline hydrolysis for
943	943	463
944	944	the disposition of the human remains;
945	945	464
946	946	(vii) the name of the person authorized to receive the human remains from the funeral
947	947	465
948	948	service establishment;
949	949	466
950	950	(viii) the manner in which the final disposition of the human remains is to take place,
951	951	467
952	952	if known;
953	953	468
954	954	(ix) a listing of each item of value to be delivered to the funeral service establishment
955	955	469
956	956	along with the human remains, and instructions as to how each item should be
957	957	470
958	958	handled;
959	959	471
960	960	(x) the signature of the authorizing agent, attesting to the accuracy of all
961	961	472
962	962	representations contained on the alkaline hydrolysis authorization form;
963	963	- 14 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
964	964	473
965	965	(xi) if the alkaline hydrolysis authorization form is being executed on a preneed
966	966	474
967	967	basis, the disclosure required for preneed programs under this chapter; and
968	968	475
969	969	(xii) except for a preneed alkaline hydrolysis authorization, the signature of the
970	970	476
971	971	funeral director of the funeral service establishment that obtained the alkaline
972	972	477
973	973	hydrolysis authorization.
974	974	478
975	975	(b)(i) The person referred to in Subsection (2)(a)(xii) shall execute the alkaline
976	976	479
977	977	hydrolysis authorization form as a witness and is not responsible for any of the
978	978	480
979	979	representations made by the authorizing agent.
980	980	481
981	981	(ii) The funeral director or the funeral service establishment shall warrant that the
982	982	482
983	983	human remains delivered to the funeral service establishment have been positively
984	984	483
985	985	identified by the authorizing agent or a designated representative of the
986	986	484
987	987	authorizing agent as the decedent listed on the alkaline hydrolysis authorization
988	988	485
989	989	form.
990	990	486
991	991	(iii) The authorizing agent or the agent's designee may make the identification
992	992	487
993	993	referred to in Subsection (2)(b)(ii) in person or by photograph.
994	994	488
995	995	(3)(a) A funeral service establishment may not accept unidentified human remains for
996	996	489
997	997	alkaline hydrolysis.
998	998	490
999	999	(b) If a funeral service establishment takes custody of an alkaline hydrolysis container [
1000	1000	491
1001	1001	subsequent to] after the human remains [being] were placed within the container, the
1002	1002	492
1003	1003	funeral service establishment [can] may rely on the identification made before the
1004	1004	493
1005	1005	remains were placed in the container.
1006	1006	494
1007	1007	(c) The funeral service establishment shall place appropriate identification on the
1008	1008	495
1009	1009	exterior of the alkaline hydrolysis container based on the prior identification.
1010	1010	496
1011	1011	[(4)(a) A person who removes or possesses dental gold or silver, jewelry, or mementos
1012	1012	497
1013	1013	from human remains:]
1014	1014	498
1015	1015	[(i) with purpose to deprive another over control of the property is guilty of an
1016	1016	499
1017	1017	offense and subject to the punishments provided in Section 76-6-404;]
1018	1018	500
1019	1019	[(ii) with purpose to exercise unauthorized control and with intent to temporarily
1020	1020	501
1021	1021	deprive another of control over the property is guilty of an offense and subject to
1022	1022	502
1023	1023	the punishments provided in Section 76-6-404.5; and]
1024	1024	503
1025	1025	[(iii) under circumstances not amounting to Subsection (4)(a)(i) or (ii) and without
1026	1026	504
1027	1027	specific written permission of the individual who has the right to control those
1028	1028	505
1029	1029	remains is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.]
1030	1030	506
1031	1031	[(b) The fact that residue or any unavoidable dental gold or dental silver or other
1032	1032	- 15 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
1033	1033	507
1034	1034	precious metals remain in alkaline hydrolysis equipment or a container used in a prior
1035	1035	508
1036	1036	alkaline hydrolysis process is not a violation of Subsection (4)(a).]
1037	1037	509
1038	1038	Section 8. Section 58-9-613.5 is enacted to read:
1039	1039	510
1040	1040	58-9-613.5 . Authorization for natural organic reduction.
1041	1041	511
1042	1042	(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a funeral service establishment may not
1043	1043	512
1044	1044	perform natural organic reduction on human remains until the funeral service
1045	1045	513
1046	1046	establishment has received:
1047	1047	514
1048	1048	(a) a natural organic reduction authorization form signed by an authorizing agent;
1049	1049	515
1050	1050	(b) a completed and executed burial transit permit or similar document, as provided by
1051	1051	516
1052	1052	state law, indicating that disposition of the human remains is to be by natural organic
1053	1053	517
1054	1054	reduction; and
1055	1055	518
1056	1056	(c) any other documentation required by the state, county, or municipality.
1057	1057	519
1058	1058	(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), the natural organic reduction authorization form
1059	1059	520
1060	1060	shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1061	1061	521
1062	1062	(a) the identity of the human remains and the time and date of death, including a signed
1063	1063	522
1064	1064	declaration of visual identification of the deceased or refusal to visually identify the
1065	1065	523
1066	1066	deceased;
1067	1067	524
1068	1068	(b) the name of the funeral director and funeral service establishment that obtained the
1069	1069	525
1070	1070	natural organic reduction authorization;
1071	1071	526
1072	1072	(c) notification as to whether the death occurred from a disease declared by the
1073	1073	527
1074	1074	Department of Health and Human Services to be infectious, contagious,
1075	1075	528
1076	1076	communicable, or dangerous to public health;
1077	1077	529
1078	1078	(d) a representation that the death did not occur due to ebola, tuberculosis, or a prion
1079	1079	530
1080	1080	disease;
1081	1081	531
1082	1082	(e) the name of the authorizing agent and the relationship between the authorizing agent
1083	1083	532
1084	1084	and the decedent;
1085	1085	533
1086	1086	(f) a representation that the authorizing agent has the right to authorize the disposition of
1087	1087	534
1088	1088	the decedent by natural organic reduction and that the authorizing agent is not aware
1089	1089	535
1090	1090	of any living individual with a superior or equal priority right to that of the
1091	1091	536
1092	1092	authorizing agent, except that if there is another living individual with a superior or
1093	1093	537
1094	1094	equal priority right, the natural organic reduction authorization form shall contain a
1095	1095	538
1096	1096	representation that the authorizing agent has:
1097	1097	539
1098	1098	(i) made reasonable efforts to contact that individual;
1099	1099	540
1100	1100	(ii) been unable to contact the individual; and
1101	1101	- 16 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
1102	1102	541
1103	1103	(iii) no reason to believe that the individual would object to the disposition of the
1104	1104	542
1105	1105	decedent by natural organic reduction;
1106	1106	543
1107	1107	(g) authorization for the funeral service establishment to use natural organic reduction
1108	1108	544
1109	1109	for the disposition of the human remains;
1110	1110	545
1111	1111	(h) the name of the individual authorized to receive the human remains from the funeral
1112	1112	546
1113	1113	service establishment;
1114	1114	547
1115	1115	(i) the manner in which the final disposition of the human remains is to take place, if
1116	1116	548
1117	1117	known;
1118	1118	549
1119	1119	(j) a listing of each item of value to be delivered to the funeral service establishment
1120	1120	550
1121	1121	along with the human remains, and instructions as to how each item should be
1122	1122	551
1123	1123	handled;
1124	1124	552
1125	1125	(k) the signature of the authorizing agent, attesting to the accuracy of all representations
1126	1126	553
1127	1127	contained on the natural organic reduction authorization form; and
1128	1128	554
1129	1129	(l) the signature of the funeral director of the funeral service establishment that obtained
1130	1130	555
1131	1131	the natural organic reduction authorization.
1132	1132	556
1133	1133	(3) If the natural organic reduction form is being executed as part of a preneed funeral
1134	1134	557
1135	1135	arrangement, the natural organic reduction authorization form shall:
1136	1136	558
1137	1137	(a) contain the disclosure requirements for preneed programs under this chapter; and
1138	1138	559
1139	1139	(b) contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1140	1140	560
1141	1141	(i) the identity of the individual who, upon the individual's death, desires that the
1142	1142	561
1143	1143	individual's remains undergo the natural organic reduction process;
1144	1144	562
1145	1145	(ii) the name of the authorizing agent and the relationship between the authorizing
1146	1146	563
1147	1147	agent and the individual described in Subsection (3)(b)(i);
1148	1148	564
1149	1149	(iii) a representation that the authorizing agent has the right to authorize the
1150	1150	565
1151	1151	disposition of the individual's remains described in Subsection (3)(b)(i) by natural
1152	1152	566
1153	1153	organic reduction and that the individual described in Subsection (3)(b)(i)
1154	1154	567
1155	1155	consents to the authorizing agent's disposition of the individual's remains;
1156	1156	568
1157	1157	(iv) authorization for the funeral service establishment to use natural organic
1158	1158	569
1159	1159	reduction for the disposition of the human remains;
1160	1160	570
1161	1161	(v) the name of the individual authorized to receive the human remains from the
1162	1162	571
1163	1163	funeral service establishment;
1164	1164	572
1165	1165	(vi) the manner in which the final disposition of the human remains is to take place, if
1166	1166	573
1167	1167	known;
1168	1168	574
1169	1169	(vii) a listing of each item of value to be delivered to the funeral service
1170	1170	- 17 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
1171	1171	575
1172	1172	establishment along with the human remains, and instructions as to how each item
1173	1173	576
1174	1174	should be handled; and
1175	1175	577
1176	1176	(viii) the signature of the authorizing agent, attesting to the accuracy of all
1177	1177	578
1178	1178	representations contained on the natural organic reduction authorization form.
1179	1179	579
1180	1180	(4)(a) The individual referred to in Subsection (2)(l) shall execute the natural organic
1181	1181	580
1182	1182	reduction authorization form as a witness and is not responsible for any of the
1183	1183	581
1184	1184	representations made by the authorizing agent.
1185	1185	582
1186	1186	(b) The funeral director or the funeral service establishment shall warrant that the human
1187	1187	583
1188	1188	remains delivered to the funeral service establishment have been positively identified
1189	1189	584
1190	1190	by the authorizing agent or a designated representative of the authorizing agent as the
1191	1191	585
1192	1192	decedent listed on the natural organic reduction authorization form.
1193	1193	586
1194	1194	(c) The authorizing agent or the agent's designee may make the identification referred to
1195	1195	587
1196	1196	in Subsection (4)(b) in person or by photograph.
1197	1197	588
1198	1198	(5)(a) A funeral service establishment may not accept unidentified human remains for
1199	1199	589
1200	1200	natural organic reduction.
1201	1201	590
1202	1202	(b) If a funeral service establishment takes custody of a natural organic reduction
1203	1203	591
1204	1204	container after the human remains were placed within the container, the funeral
1205	1205	592
1206	1206	service establishment may rely on the identification made before the remains were
1207	1207	593
1208	1208	placed in the container.
1209	1209	594
1210	1210	(c) The funeral service establishment shall place appropriate identification on the
1211	1211	595
1212	1212	exterior of the natural organic reduction container based on the prior identification.
1213	1213	596
1214	1214	Section 9. Section 58-9-614 is amended to read:
1215	1215	597
1216	1216	58-9-614 . Recordkeeping.
1217	1217	598
1218	1218	(1)(a) A funeral service establishment shall furnish to the person [who] that delivers
1219	1219	599
1220	1220	human remains to the establishment for alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic
1221	1221	600
1222	1222	reduction a receipt signed by a representative of the establishment and the [person]
1223	1223	601
1224	1224	individual making the delivery, showing:
1225	1225	602
1226	1226	(i) the date and time of the delivery;
1227	1227	603
1228	1228	(ii) the type of casket or alternative container delivered;
1229	1229	604
1230	1230	(iii) the name of the [person] individual from whom the human remains were received;
1231	1231	605
1232	1232	(iv) the name of the funeral establishment or other entity with whom the person
1233	1233	606
1234	1234	making the delivery is affiliated;
1235	1235	607
1236	1236	(v) the name of the [person] individual who received the human remains on behalf of
1237	1237	608
1238	1238	the funeral service establishment; and
1239	1239	- 18 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
1240	1240	609
1241	1241	(vi) the name of the decedent.
1242	1242	610
1243	1243	(b) The funeral service establishment shall keep a copy of the receipt in the funeral
1244	1244	611
1245	1245	service establishment's permanent records for a period of seven years.
1246	1246	612
1247	1247	(2)(a) Upon release of human remains after alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic
1248	1248	613
1249	1249	reduction, a funeral service establishment shall furnish to the person [who] that
1250	1250	614
1251	1251	receives the human remains a receipt signed by a representative of the funeral
1252	1252	614a
1253	1253	service
1254	1254	615
1255	1255	establishment and the person who receives the human remains, showing:
1256	1256	616
1257	1257	(i) the date and time of the release;
1258	1258	617
1259	1259	(ii) the name of the person to whom the human remains were released; and
1260	1260	618
1261	1261	(iii) if applicable:
1262	1262	619
1263	1263	(A) the name of the funeral establishment, cemetery, or other entity with whom
1264	1264	620
1265	1265	the person receiving the human remains is affiliated;
1266	1266	621
1267	1267	(B) the name of the person who released the human remains on behalf of the
1268	1268	622
1269	1269	funeral service establishment; and
1270	1270	623
1271	1271	(C) the name of the decedent.
1272	1272	624
1273	1273	(b)(i) The receipt shall contain a representation from the person receiving the human
1274	1274	625
1275	1275	remains confirming that the remains will not be used for any improper purpose.
1276	1276	626
1277	1277	(ii) Upon release of the human remains, the person to whom the human remains were
1278	1278	627
1279	1279	released may transport the human remains in any manner in the state, without a
1280	1280	628
1281	1281	permit, and dispose of the human remains in accordance with this chapter.
1282	1282	629
1283	1283	(c) The funeral service establishment shall retain a copy of the receipt in the funeral
1284	1284	630
1285	1285	service establishment's permanent records for a period of seven years.
1286	1286	631
1287	1287	(3)(a) The funeral service establishment shall maintain at the funeral service
1288	1288	632
1289	1289	establishment's place of business a permanent record of each disposition by alkaline
1290	1290	633
1291	1291	hydrolysis or natural organic reduction that took place at the funeral service
1292	1292	634
1293	1293	establishment.
1294	1294	635
1295	1295	(b) The permanent record shall contain:
1296	1296	636
1297	1297	(i) the name of the decedent;
1298	1298	637
1299	1299	(ii) the date of disposition by alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction;
1300	1300	638
1301	1301	(iii) the final disposition of the human remains; and
1302	1302	639
1303	1303	(iv) any other document required by this chapter.
1304	1304	640
1305	1305	Section 10. Section 58-9-615 is amended to read:
1306	1306	641
1307	1307	58-9-615 . Accepting remains for alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic
1308	1308	- 19 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
1309	1309	642
1310	1310	reduction.
1311	1311	643
1312	1312	(1) A funeral service establishment may not make or enforce a rule requiring that human
1313	1313	644
1314	1314	remains be placed in a casket before alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction.
1315	1315	645
1316	1316	(2) A funeral service establishment may not refuse to accept human remains for alkaline
1317	1317	646
1318	1318	hydrolysis or natural organic reduction because the human remains are not in a casket.
1319	1319	647
1320	1320	(3) When using natural organic reduction to dispose of human remains, a funeral service
1321	1321	648
1322	1322	establishment shall ensure that all materials in the container holding the human remains
1323	1323	649
1324	1324	are readily reducible by natural organic reduction.
1325	1325	650
1326	1326	Section 11. Section 58-9-618 is amended to read:
1327	1327	651
1328	1328	58-9-618 . Limitation of liability.
1329	1329	652
1330	1330	(1) An authorizing agent who signs an alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction
1331	1331	653
1332	1332	authorization form warrants the truthfulness of the facts set forth on the form, including:
1333	1333	654
1334	1334	(a) the identity of the deceased whose remains are to undergo the alkaline hydrolysis or
1335	1335	655
1336	1336	natural organic reduction process; and
1337	1337	656
1338	1338	(b) the authorizing agent's authority to order the alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic
1339	1339	657
1340	1340	reduction process.
1341	1341	658
1342	1342	(2) A funeral service establishment may rely upon the representations made by an
1343	1343	659
1344	1344	authorizing agent under Subsection (1).
1345	1345	660
1346	1346	(3) The authorizing agent is personally and individually liable for all damage resulting from
1347	1347	661
1348	1348	a misstatement or misrepresentation made under Subsection (1).
1349	1349	662
1350	1350	(4)(a) A funeral service establishment may arrange for the alkaline hydrolysis or natural
1351	1351	663
1352	1352	organic reduction process upon receipt of an alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic
1353	1353	664
1354	1354	reduction authorization form signed by an authorizing agent.
1355	1355	665
1356	1356	(b) A funeral service establishment that arranges the alkaline hydrolysis or natural
1357	1357	666
1358	1358	organic reduction process or releases or disposes of human remains from the alkaline
1359	1359	667
1360	1360	hydrolysis or natural organic reduction process pursuant to an alkaline hydrolysis or
1361	1361	668
1362	1362	natural organic reduction authorization form is not liable for an action the funeral
1363	1363	669
1364	1364	service establishment takes pursuant to that authorization.
1365	1365	670
1366	1366	(5) A funeral service establishment is not responsible or liable for any valuables delivered
1367	1367	671
1368	1368	to the establishment with human remains.
1369	1369	672
1370	1370	(6) A funeral service establishment may refuse to arrange for the alkaline hydrolysis or
1371	1371	673
1372	1372	natural organic reduction process of a decedent, to accept human remains for the
1373	1373	674
1374	1374	alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction process, or to perform the alkaline
1375	1375	675
1376	1376	hydrolysis or natural organic reduction process:
1377	1377	- 20 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
1378	1378	676
1379	1379	(a) if the funeral service establishment is aware of a dispute concerning the disposition
1380	1380	677
1381	1381	of the human remains and the funeral service establishment has not received a court
1382	1382	678
1383	1383	order or other suitable confirmation that the dispute has been resolved;
1384	1384	679
1385	1385	(b) if the funeral service establishment has a reasonable basis for questioning any of the
1386	1386	680
1387	1387	representations made by an authorizing agent; or
1388	1388	681
1389	1389	(c) for any other lawful reason.
1390	1390	682
1391	1391	(7)(a) If a funeral service establishment is aware of a dispute concerning the release or
1392	1392	683
1393	1393	disposition of remains from the alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction
1394	1394	684
1395	1395	process in the funeral service establishment's possession, the funeral service
1396	1396	685
1397	1397	establishment may refuse to release the remains until:
1398	1398	686
1399	1399	(i) the dispute has been resolved; or
1400	1400	687
1401	1401	(ii) the funeral service establishment has received a court order authorizing the
1402	1402	688
1403	1403	release or disposition of the remains.
1404	1404	689
1405	1405	(b) A funeral service establishment is not liable for [its] the funeral service
1406	1406	690
1407	1407	establishment's refusal to release or dispose of remains from the alkaline hydrolysis
1408	1408	691
1409	1409	or natural organic reduction process in accordance with this Subsection (7).
1410	1410	692
1411	1411	Section 12. Section 58-9-620 is enacted to read:
1412	1412	693
1413	1413	58-9-620 . Penalties for removal of items from human remains.
1414	1414	694
1415	1415	(1) A person who removes or possesses dental gold or silver, jewelry, or mementos from
1416	1416	695
1417	1417	human remains:
1418	1418	696
1419	1419	(a) with purpose to deprive another over control of the property is guilty of an offense
1420	1420	697
1421	1421	described in Section 76-6-404;
1422	1422	698
1423	1423	(b) with purpose to exercise unauthorized control and with intent to temporarily deprive
1424	1424	699
1425	1425	another over control of the property is guilty of an offense described in Section
1426	1426	700
1427	1427	76-6-404.5; and
1428	1428	701
1429	1429	(c) under circumstances that do not amount to the activities described in Subsection
1430	1430	702
1431	1431	(1)(a) or (b), and without specific written permission of the individual who has the
1432	1432	703
1433	1433	right to control those remains, is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
1434	1434	704
1435	1435	(2) The fact that residue or any unavoidable dental gold or dental silver or other precious
1436	1436	705
1437	1437	metal remain in alkaline hydrolysis equipment or a container used in a prior alkaline
1438	1438	706
1439	1439	hydrolysis process is not a violation of Subsection (1).
1440	1440	707
1441	1441	Section 13. Section 58-9-621 is enacted to read:
1442	1442	708
1443	1443	58-9-621 . Procedure for natural organic reduction.
1444	1444	709
1445	1445	(1) A funeral service establishment may not perform natural organic reduction on human
1446	1446	- 21 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
1447	1447	710
1448	1448	remains unless the funeral service establishment:
1449	1449	711
1450	1450	(a) completes and files a death certificate with the Office of Vital Records and Statistics
1451	1451	712
1452	1452	and the county health department as indicated on the regular medical certificate of
1453	1453	713
1454	1454	death or the medical examiner's certificate; and
1455	1455	714
1456	1456	(b) complies with the provisions of Section 26B-8-230.
1457	1457	715
1458	1458	(2) A funeral service establishment may not perform simultaneous natural organic reduction
1459	1459	716
1460	1460	of the human remains of more than one individual within the same natural organic
1461	1461	717
1462	1462	reduction container.
1463	1463	718
1464	1464	(3) A funeral service establishment shall:
1465	1465	719
1466	1466	(a) verify the identification of human remains as indicated on a natural organic reduction
1467	1467	720
1468	1468	container immediately before performing natural organic reduction;
1469	1469	721
1470	1470	(b) attach an identification tag to the natural organic reduction container; and
1471	1471	722
1472	1472	(c) ensure that the identification tag remains on the natural organic reduction container
1473	1473	723
1474	1474	until the natural organic reduction process is complete.
1475	1475	724
1476	1476	(4) Upon completion of the natural organic reduction process, the funeral service
1477	1477	725
1478	1478	establishment shall:
1479	1479	726
1480	1480	(a) to the extent possible, remove all of the recoverable residue of the remains of the
1481	1481	727
1482	1482	natural organic reduction process from the natural organic reduction container;
1483	1483	728
1484	1484	(b) separate all other residue from the natural organic reduction process from remaining
1485	1485	729
1486	1486	bone fragment, to the extent possible, and process the bone fragments to reduce the
1487	1487	730
1488	1488	bone fragments to unidentifiable particles; and
1489	1489	731
1490	1490	(c) remove anything other than the unidentifiable bone particles from the remains of the
1491	1491	732
1492	1492	natural organic reduction process, to the extent possible, and dispose of that material.
1493	1493	733
1494	1494	(5)(a) A funeral service establishment shall pack the unidentifiable bone particles
1495	1495	734
1496	1496	described in Subsection (4) and the identification tag described in Subsection (3) in
1497	1497	735
1498	1498	an urn or temporary container ordered by the authorizing agent.
1499	1499	736
1500	1500	(b) The funeral service establishment shall pack any urn or temporary container in clean
1501	1501	737
1502	1502	packing materials and prevent contamination with any other object, unless otherwise
1503	1503	738
1504	1504	directed by the authorizing agent.
1505	1505	739
1506	1506	(c) If the remains of the natural organic reduction process cannot fit within the
1507	1507	740
1508	1508	designated urn or temporary container, the funeral service establishment shall:
1509	1509	741
1510	1510	(i) return the excess remains to the authorizing agent or the agent's representative in a
1511	1511	742
1512	1512	separate temporary container; and
1513	1513	743
1514	1514	(ii) mark both a designated urn and a temporary container on the outside with the
1515	1515	- 22 - 01-09 16:07 S.B. 84
1516	1516	744
1517	1517	name of the decedent and an indication that the remains of the named decedent are
1518	1518	745
1519	1519	in both the designated urn and the temporary container.
1520	1520	746
1521	1521	(6)(a) If the remains are to be shipped, the funeral service establishment shall pack any
1522	1522	747
1523	1523	designated urn or temporary container.
1524	1524	748
1525	1525	(b) The funeral service establishment shall have the remains shipped only by a method
1526	1526	749
1527	1527	that:
1528	1528	750
1529	1529	(i) has an available tracking system; and
1530	1530	751
1531	1531	(ii) provides a receipt signed by the individual accepting the delivery.
1532	1532	752
1533	1533	Section 14. Section 58-9-622 is enacted to read:
1534	1534	753
1535	1535	58-9-622 . Disposition of remains from the natural organic reduction process.
1536	1536	754
1537	1537	(1) As used in this section, "remains" means the remaining soil left after the decomposition
1538	1538	755
1539	1539	of a body through the natural organic reduction process.
1540	1540	756
1541	1541	(2)(a) The authorizing agent is responsible for the disposition of the remains.
1542	1542	757
1543	1543	(b) An authorizing agent shall provide the person with which natural organic reduction
1544	1544	758
1545	1545	arrangements are made a signed statement specifying the disposition of the remains,
1546	1546	759
1547	1547	if known.
1548	1548	760
1549	1549	(c) The person to which the authorizing agent provides the signed statement described in
1550	1550	761
1551	1551	Subsection (2)(b) shall retain a copy of the statement.
1552	1552	762
1553	1553	(d) If the authorizing agent or the agent's representative has not specified the ultimate
1554	1554	763
1555	1555	disposition of or claimed the remains within 60 days after the day on which the
1556	1556	764
1557	1557	natural organic reduction process occurs, the funeral service establishment may
1558	1558	765
1559	1559	dispose of the remains in any manner permitted by law, except scattering.
1560	1560	766
1561	1561	(e) The authorizing agent shall reimburse the funeral service establishment for all
1562	1562	767
1563	1563	reasonable costs incurred in disposing of the remains under Subsection (2)(d).
1564	1564	768
1565	1565	(f) The person disposing of remains under this section:
1566	1566	769
1567	1567	(i) shall make and keep a record of the final disposition of the remains; and
1568	1568	770
1569	1569	(ii) is discharged from any legal obligation or liability concerning the remains once
1570	1570	771
1571	1571	the final disposition has been made.
1572	1572	772
1573	1573	(3)(a) Subject to Subsection (5), an authorizing agent may direct a funeral service
1574	1574	773
1575	1575	establishment to dispose of or arrange for the final disposition of remains:
1576	1576	774
1577	1577	(i) in a crypt, niche, grave, or scattering garden located in a dedicated cemetery;
1578	1578	775
1579	1579	(ii) by placing the remains in uninhabited public land, the sea, or other public
1580	1580	776
1581	1581	waterways subject to health and environmental laws and regulations; or
1582	1582	777
1583	1583	(iii) except as provided in Section 58-9-501, in any manner on the private property of
1584	1584	- 23 - S.B. 84 01-09 16:07
1585	1585	778
1586	1586	a consenting owner.
1587	1587	779
1588	1588	(b) If remains are to be disposed of on private property, other than dedicated cemetery
1589	1589	780
1590	1590	property, the authorizing agent shall provide the funeral service establishment with
1591	1591	781
1592	1592	the written consent of the property owner before disposal of the remains.
1593	1593	782
1594	1594	(4) A funeral service establishment may not release remains to the authorizing agent or the
1595	1595	783
1596	1596	agent's designated representative until the funeral service establishment:
1597	1597	784
1598	1598	(a) is given a receipt that shows the proper filing has been made with the local registrar
1599	1599	785
1600	1600	of births and deaths; or
1601	1601	786
1602	1602	(b) makes the proper filing with the local registrar of births and deaths.
1603	1603	787
1604	1604	(5) The knowing use of remains in growing food for human consumption is unlawful
1605	1605	788
1606	1606	conduct as described in Section 58-9-501.
1607	1607	789
1608	1608	Section 15. Effective Date.
1609	1609	790
1610	1610	This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
1611	1611	- 24 -