Read the full stored bill text
Senate
File
2110
-
Introduced
SENATE
FILE
2110
BY
STAED
,
DONAHUE
,
and
BENNETT
A
BILL
FOR
An
Act
relating
to
the
natural
organic
reduction
of
human
1
remains.
2
BE
IT
ENACTED
BY
THE
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
IOWA:
3
TLSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
S.F.
2110
Section
1.
Section
147.13,
subsection
13,
Code
2026,
is
1
amended
to
read
as
follows:
2
13.
For
mortuary
science
and
natural
organic
reduction
,
the
3
board
of
mortuary
science.
4
Sec.
2.
Section
147.74,
Code
2026,
is
amended
by
adding
the
5
following
new
subsection:
6
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
29.
A
person
licensed
to
operate
a
natural
7
organic
reduction
establishment
pursuant
to
section
156A.2
may
8
use
the
title
of
“natural
organic
reduction
facility”
or
“human
9
composting”
when
advertising
the
person’s
business.
10
Sec.
3.
Section
156.2,
Code
2026,
is
amended
by
adding
the
11
following
new
subsection:
12
NEW
SUBSECTION
.
5.
Persons
providing
natural
organic
13
reduction
services
pursuant
to
chapter
156A.
14
Sec.
4.
NEW
SECTION
.
156A.1
Definitions.
15
As
used
in
this
chapter
unless
context
otherwise
requires:
16
1.
“Board”
means
the
board
of
mortuary
science.
17
2.
“Natural
organic
reduction”
means
the
contained,
18
accelerated
conversion
of
human
remains
to
soil.
19
3.
“Natural
organic
reduction
establishment”
means
a
secure
20
structure,
room,
or
other
space
where
natural
organic
reduction
21
services
are
performed.
22
Sec.
5.
NEW
SECTION
.
156A.2
Natural
organic
reduction
23
establishment
——
license
required.
24
1.
A
person
shall
not
operate
a
natural
organic
reduction
25
establishment
without
a
license
issued
by
the
board.
26
2.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
include
27
all
of
the
following:
28
a.
A
building
or
structure
that
contains
one
or
more
aerobic
29
reduction
vessels
for
the
natural
organic
reduction
of
dead
30
human
bodies.
31
b.
A
motorized
mechanical
device
for
the
processing
of
32
naturally
reduced
remains.
33
c.
A
refrigerated
holding
facility
for
dead
human
bodies
34
awaiting
natural
organic
reduction,
which
shall
be
secure
from
35
-1-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
1/
10
S.F.
2110
unauthorized
personnel,
preserve
the
dignity
of
the
remains,
1
and
protect
the
health
and
safety
of
the
employees
of
the
2
natural
organic
reduction
establishment.
3
3.
To
qualify
for
a
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
4
license,
the
applicant
shall
submit
to
the
board
a
license
fee
5
of
four
hundred
twenty-five
dollars
and
a
completed
application
6
on
a
form
prescribed
by
the
board
that
must
include
the
7
following
information
and
be
given
under
oath:
8
a.
Proof
of
business
form
and
ownership.
9
b.
Proof
of
liability
insurance
coverage
or
other
financial
10
documentation,
as
determined
by
the
board
by
rule,
that
11
demonstrates
the
applicant’s
ability
to
pay
damages
arising
12
from
the
ownership,
maintenance,
management,
or
operation
of
a
13
natural
organic
reduction
establishment.
14
4.
The
board
shall
perform
an
initial
inspection
of
15
a
proposed
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
prior
16
to
issuing
a
license
for
a
natural
organic
reduction
17
establishment.
18
5.
A
license
issued
pursuant
to
this
section
is
19
nontransferrable
and
is
valid
only
for
the
location
licensed.
20
A
fifty
percent
or
more
change
in
ownership
of
a
natural
21
organic
reduction
facility
shall
automatically
terminate
the
22
license.
Separate
licenses
shall
be
required
for
each
person
23
if
two
or
more
persons
operate
from
the
same
location.
24
6.
A
licensee
shall
inform
the
board,
on
a
form
provided
by
25
the
board,
of
any
changes
to
the
information
submitted
with
the
26
license
application
within
thirty
calendar
days
of
the
date
of
27
the
change.
28
7.
a.
A
license
issued
pursuant
to
this
section
shall
be
29
valid
for
a
period
of
one
year,
beginning
on
July
1
and
ending
30
on
June
30,
and
may
be
renewed
as
provided
by
the
board
by
rule.
31
b.
The
board
shall
impose
a
late
filing
fee
of
one
hundred
32
dollars
for
an
application
for
license
renewal
submitted
not
33
later
than
thirty-one
calendar
days
after
the
expiration
date
34
of
the
license.
A
license
not
renewed
within
thirty-one
35
-2-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
2/
10
S.F.
2110
calendar
days
after
expiration
shall
lapse.
1
8.
The
owner
of
a
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
2
shall
ensure
that
unlicensed
persons
employed
by
the
natural
3
organic
reduction
establishment
comply
with
the
requirements
of
4
this
chapter
and
rules
adopted
by
the
board.
A
licensee
shall
5
provide
training
for
all
unlicensed
employees.
6
9.
a.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
not
7
accept
a
dead
human
body
for
natural
organic
reduction
unless
8
the
body
is
all
of
the
following:
9
(1)
Enclosed
in
a
container
that
is
suitable
for
natural
10
organic
reduction
and
is
impermeable
or
leak-resistant.
11
(2)
Accompanied
by
a
written
authorization
in
compliance
12
with
section
156A.3,
subsection
3,
paragraph
“a”
.
13
(3)
Delivered
by
a
funeral
establishment
licensed
pursuant
14
to
section
156.14.
15
b.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
not
16
accept
a
dead
human
body
for
natural
organic
reduction
if
any
17
of
the
following
apply:
18
(1)
There
is
a
known
dispute
regarding
the
natural
organic
19
reduction
of
the
body.
20
(2)
There
is
a
reasonable
basis
for
questioning
a
21
representation
made
on
the
written
authorization
completed
22
pursuant
to
section
156A.3,
subsection
3,
paragraph
“a”
.
23
c.
If
a
dead
human
body
is
delivered
by
a
funeral
24
establishment
to
a
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
in
a
25
container
that
is
not
suitable
for
natural
organic
reduction
26
or
that
shows
signs
of
leaking,
the
dead
human
body
shall
27
be
returned
to
the
funeral
establishment
or
transferred
to
a
28
suitable
container
by
a
funeral
director
licensed
pursuant
to
29
section
156.4.
30
10.
A
dead
human
body
shall
not
be
removed
from
a
container
31
in
which
it
was
delivered
to
a
natural
organic
reduction
32
establishment
except
by
a
funeral
director
licensed
pursuant
33
to
section
156.4
and
with
the
express
written
authorization
of
34
the
decedent’s
designee
pursuant
to
section
144C.3,
or
a
person
35
-3-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
3/
10
S.F.
2110
with
authority
to
control
pursuant
to
section
144C.5.
1
11.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
place
2
a
dead
human
body
in
an
aerobic
reduction
vessel
within
a
3
reasonable
time
after
death.
4
12.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
5
develop,
implement,
and
maintain
a
system
to
identify
dead
6
human
bodies
from
the
time
the
natural
organic
reduction
7
establishment
accepts
delivery
of
a
dead
human
body
to
the
8
time
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
are
released
to
an
9
authorized
party.
10
13.
Except
as
otherwise
provided
by
an
express
written
11
authorization
of
the
decedent’s
designee
pursuant
to
section
12
144C.3,
or
person
with
authority
to
control
pursuant
to
section
13
144C.5,
a
natural
organic
reduction
facility
shall
not
conduct
14
natural
organic
reduction
in
the
presence
of
a
person
other
15
than
authorized
personnel
of
the
natural
organic
reduction
16
facility.
17
14.
Except
as
otherwise
provided
by
an
express
written
18
authorization
of
the
decedent’s
designee
pursuant
to
section
19
144C.3,
or
person
with
authority
to
control
pursuant
to
section
20
144C.5,
dead
human
bodies
and
naturally
organically
reduced
21
human
remains
shall
not
be
commingled
with
any
other
dead
human
22
body
or
naturally
organically
reduced
human
remains.
A
natural
23
organic
reduction
facility
shall
take
all
reasonable
efforts
to
24
completely
remove
and
dispose
of
naturally
organically
reduced
25
human
remains
from
the
aerobic
reduction
vessel
and
any
other
26
location
where
naturally
organically
reduced
human
remains
are
27
stored.
28
15.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
dispose
29
of
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
and
nonnaturally
30
reduced
items
and
materials
as
provided
in
the
written
31
authorization
issued
pursuant
to
section
156A.3,
subsection
3,
32
paragraph
“a”
,
or
as
otherwise
provided
by
law
or
rule
adopted
33
by
the
board.
If
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
are
34
shipped,
the
remains
shall
be
transported
by
a
method
that
35
-4-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
4/
10
S.F.
2110
includes
a
tracking
system
and
provides
a
receipt
signed
by
the
1
person
accepting
delivery.
2
16.
If
naturally
organically
reduced
human
remains
are
3
unclaimed
after
thirty
days
following
the
completion
of
natural
4
organic
reduction,
the
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
5
shall
give
written
notice
by
certified
mail
to
the
designee
6
pursuant
to
section
144C.3,
or
person
with
authority
to
control
7
pursuant
to
section
144C.5,
to
request
further
instructions.
8
If
naturally
organically
reduced
human
remains
are
unclaimed
9
one
hundred
twenty
days
after
the
mailing
of
written
notice,
10
the
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
respectfully
11
dispose
of
the
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
in
any
12
lawful
manner.
13
Sec.
6.
NEW
SECTION
.
156A.3
Natural
organic
reduction
——
14
requirements.
15
1.
A
dead
human
body
shall
only
undergo
natural
organic
16
reduction
at
a
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
licensed
17
pursuant
to
section
156A.2.
18
2.
Natural
organic
reduction
shall
only
be
conducted
using
19
an
aerobic
reduction
vessel
approved
by
the
board
by
rule,
and
20
that
is
designed
to
promote
aerobic
reduction
to
minimize
odor.
21
3.
a.
Natural
organic
reduction
shall
only
be
conducted
22
with
the
written
authorization
of
the
designee
pursuant
to
23
section
144C.3,
or
person
with
authority
to
control
pursuant
24
to
section
144C.5.
The
written
authorization
must
include
all
25
of
the
following:
26
(1)
The
name
and
date
of
death
of
the
deceased.
27
(2)
A
statement
authorizing
the
natural
organic
reduction
28
facility
to
naturally
organically
reduce
the
dead
human
body.
29
(3)
The
name,
address,
phone
number,
relationship
to
30
the
deceased,
and
signature
of
the
designee
or
person
with
31
authority
to
control.
32
(4)
Directions
for
the
disposition
of
any
nonnaturally
33
organically
reduced
materials
or
items
recovered
from
the
34
aerobic
reduction
vessel.
35
-5-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
5/
10
S.F.
2110
(5)
Acknowledgment
that
some
of
the
naturally
organically
1
reduced
remains
will
be
mechanically
reduced
to
a
granulated
2
appearance
and
included
in
the
containers
with
the
naturally
3
organically
reduced
remains.
4
(6)
Directions
for
the
ultimate
disposition
of
the
5
naturally
organically
reduced
remains.
6
b.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
that
reasonably
7
relies
in
good
faith
on
written
authorization
issued
pursuant
8
to
paragraph
“a”
and
otherwise
complies
with
the
law
shall
be
9
held
harmless
from
civil
liability
and
criminal
prosecution
for
10
actions
taken
by
the
natural
organic
reduction
facility.
11
4.
Naturally
organically
reduced
remains
shall
be
cured
12
appropriately
following
natural
organic
reduction,
and
any
13
fragments
larger
than
one
centimeter
shall
be
reduced
by
14
a
motorized
mechanical
device
to
a
granulated
appearance
15
appropriate
for
final
disposition
and
placed
with
the
naturally
16
organically
reduced
remains.
17
Sec.
7.
NEW
SECTION
.
156A.4
Natural
organic
reduction
18
establishment
——
records
required.
19
1.
Each
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
20
maintain
a
record
of
each
natural
organic
reduction
performed
21
by
the
establishment.
The
record
shall
include
all
of
the
22
following:
23
a.
The
name
of
the
funeral
establishment
delivering
the
dead
24
human
body
for
natural
organic
reduction.
25
b.
The
name
of
the
deceased
and
the
identification
number
26
assigned
to
the
dead
human
body.
27
c.
The
date
of
acceptance
of
delivery.
28
d.
The
name
of
the
operator
of
the
natural
organic
reduction
29
process
and
of
the
mechanical
processor
operator.
30
e.
The
times
and
dates
that
the
dead
human
body
was
placed
31
in
and
removed
from
the
aerobic
reduction
vessel.
32
f.
The
time
and
date
that
processing
and
inurnment
of
the
33
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
was
completed.
34
g.
The
time,
date,
and
manner
of
release
of
the
naturally
35
-6-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
6/
10
S.F.
2110
organically
reduced
remains.
1
h.
The
name
and
address
of
the
person
who
signed
the
2
authorization
pursuant
to
section
156A.3,
subsection
3.
3
i.
All
supporting
documentation,
including
transit
or
4
disposition
permits,
a
photocopy
of
the
death
record
and
the
5
authorization
pursuant
to
section
156A.3,
subsection
3.
6
j.
The
type
of
aerobic
reduction
vessel
used.
7
2.
A
natural
organic
reduction
establishment
shall
retain
8
records
described
in
subsection
1
for
a
period
of
ten
years
9
following
the
date
of
release
of
naturally
organically
reduced
10
remains.
11
Sec.
8.
NEW
SECTION
.
156A.5
Rules.
12
The
board
shall
adopt
rules
pursuant
to
chapter
17A
to
13
implement
this
chapter.
14
EXPLANATION
15
The
inclusion
of
this
explanation
does
not
constitute
agreement
with
16
the
explanation’s
substance
by
the
members
of
the
general
assembly.
17
This
bill
relates
to
the
natural
organic
reduction
of
18
human
remains.
The
bill
allows
a
licensed
organic
reduction
19
establishment
(establishment)
to
perform
natural
organic
20
reduction
of
human
remains,
defined
in
the
bill
as
the
21
contained,
accelerated
conversion
of
human
remains
to
soil.
22
An
establishment
shall
include
a
building
or
structure
23
containing
one
or
more
aerobic
reduction
vessels,
a
motorized
24
mechanical
device
for
the
processing
of
naturally
reduced
25
remains,
and
a
refrigerated
holding
facility
for
the
storage
26
of
dead
human
bodies.
To
obtain
a
natural
organic
reduction
27
facility
license,
the
bill
requires
an
applicant
to
submit
28
an
application
to
the
board
of
mortuary
science
(board),
an
29
application
fee
of
$425,
proof
of
business
ownership,
and
proof
30
of
liability
insurance
or
evidence
of
ability
to
pay
damages
31
related
to
the
operation
of
the
establishment.
The
bill
also
32
requires
the
board
to
perform
an
initial
inspection
of
the
33
establishment
prior
to
issuing
a
license.
All
licenses
are
34
nontransferrable,
valid
from
July
1
through
June
30,
and
may
be
35
-7-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
7/
10
S.F.
2110
renewed.
The
bill
requires
the
board
to
impose
a
late
filing
1
fee
of
$100
on
a
renewal
application
submitted
up
to
31
days
2
after
the
expiration
date
of
the
license.
A
license
that
is
3
not
renewed
within
31
days
after
expiration
shall
lapse.
4
The
bill
allows
an
establishment
to
employ
unlicensed
5
persons
but
requires
the
owner
of
the
establishment
to
provide
6
training
for
the
unlicensed
employees
and
ensure
that
they
7
comply
with
relevant
laws
and
rules
of
the
board.
8
The
bill
allows
an
establishment
to
accept
remains
for
9
natural
organic
reduction
only
if
the
remains
are
enclosed
in
a
10
container
that
is
suitable
for
natural
organic
reduction
and
11
impermeable
or
leak-proof,
delivered
by
a
licensed
funeral
12
establishment,
and
accompanied
by
a
written
authorization
13
from
a
person
with
authority
to
direct
the
final
disposition
14
of
the
remains.
The
written
authorization
must
include
15
the
name
and
date
of
death
of
the
deceased,
a
statement
16
authorizing
natural
organic
reduction,
the
name,
address,
17
phone
number,
relationship
to
the
deceased,
and
signature
of
18
the
person
who
signed
the
written
authorization,
directions
19
for
the
disposition
of
any
nonnaturally
organically
reduced
20
materials
or
items
recovered
from
the
natural
organic
reduction
21
vessel,
acknowledgment
that
some
of
the
naturally
organically
22
reduced
remains
will
be
mechanically
reduced
to
a
granulated
23
appearance,
and
directions
for
the
ultimate
disposition
of
the
24
naturally
organically
reduced
remains.
25
The
bill
prohibits
an
establishment
from
accepting
a
body
26
for
natural
organic
reduction
if
there
is
a
known
dispute
27
regarding
the
natural
organic
reduction
of
the
remains
or
if
28
there
is
a
reasonable
basis
for
questioning
a
representation
29
made
on
the
written
authorization
to
naturally
organically
30
reduce.
If
remains
are
delivered
in
a
container
that
is
not
31
suitable
for
natural
organic
reduction
or
that
shows
signs
of
32
leaking,
the
bill
requires
the
remains
to
be
returned
to
the
33
funeral
establishment
or
transferred
to
a
suitable
container
34
by
a
licensed
funeral
director.
The
bill
only
allows
remains
35
-8-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
8/
10
S.F.
2110
to
be
removed
from
the
container
in
which
it
was
delivered
1
by
a
licensed
funeral
director
and
with
the
express
written
2
authorization
of
the
person
with
authority
to
direct
the
final
3
disposition
of
the
remains.
4
The
bill
requires
an
establishment
to
begin
natural
organic
5
reduction
within
a
reasonable
time
after
death
and
to
implement
6
an
identification
and
tracking
system
for
dead
human
bodies
and
7
naturally
organically
reduced
remains.
The
bill
also
requires
8
natural
organic
reduction
to
be
conducted
privately
and
9
prohibits
the
commingling
of
dead
human
bodies
and
naturally
10
organically
reduced
human
remains.
If
naturally
organically
11
reduced
human
remains
are
unclaimed
after
30
days
following
12
completion
of
natural
organic
reduction,
the
bill
requires
13
the
establishment
to
give
written
notice
by
certified
mail
to
14
the
person
with
authority
to
direct
the
final
disposition
of
15
the
remains.
If
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
are
16
unclaimed
120
days
following
the
mailing
of
written
notice,
the
17
bill
allows
the
establishment
to
dispose
of
the
remains
in
a
18
respectful
and
lawful
manner.
19
The
bill
requires
natural
organic
reduction
to
be
performed
20
using
an
aerobic
reduction
vessel
approved
by
the
board,
and
21
that
is
designed
to
promote
aerobic
reduction
and
minimize
22
odor.
Following
natural
organic
reduction,
the
bill
requires
23
the
remains
to
be
cured
appropriately
and
any
fragments
larger
24
than
one
centimeter
to
be
reduced
by
a
motorized
mechanical
25
device
to
a
granulated
appearance
appropriate
for
final
26
disposition.
27
The
bill
requires
an
establishment
to
maintain
a
record
of
28
each
natural
organic
reduction
performed
by
the
establishment.
29
The
records
shall
include
the
name
of
the
funeral
establishment
30
delivering
the
body
for
natural
organic
reduction;
the
name
31
of
the
deceased
and
the
identification
number
assigned
to
32
the
body;
the
date
of
acceptance
of
delivery;
the
names
of
33
the
operator
of
the
natural
organic
reduction
process
and
34
mechanical
processor
operator;
the
times
and
dates
that
the
35
-9-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
9/
10
S.F.
2110
body
was
placed
in
and
removed
from
the
aerobic
reduction
1
vessel;
the
time
and
date
that
processing
and
inurnment
of
the
2
naturally
organically
reduced
remains
was
completed,
time,
3
date,
and
manner
of
release
of
the
naturally
organically
4
reduced
remains;
the
name
and
address
of
the
person
who
signed
5
the
authorization
for
natural
organic
reduction;
all
supporting
6
documentation,
including
transit
or
disposition
permits,
a
7
photocopy
of
the
death
record,
and
the
authorization
for
8
natural
organic
reduction;
and
the
type
of
aerobic
reduction
9
vessel
used.
The
bill
requires
an
establishment
to
retain
10
records
for
10
years.
11
The
bill
requires
the
board
to
adopt
rules
to
implement
the
12
bill.
13
-10-
LSB
5113XS
(5)
91
ss/ko
10/
10