This bill amends Arkansas laws concerning embalmers and funeral directors by introducing regulations for alkaline hydrolysis, a method of body disposition. It requires that full-time managers of funeral establishments be licensed and in good standing, actively supervising staff and ensuring compliance with board regulations. The bill expands the scope of prohibited conduct for licensees to include operating a crematory retort and outlines the responsibilities of funeral establishments, alkaline hydrolysis facilities, and crematories in handling and storing deceased bodies. A new subchapter is established for alkaline hydrolysis facilities, mandating that they be licensed by the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services, and sets forth requirements for their construction and operation.

The legislation details the application process for licensing alkaline hydrolysis facilities, including the need for liability insurance and environmental permits. It specifies operators' responsibilities regarding the treatment of remains, including maintaining accurate records and prohibiting the simultaneous resomation of multiple bodies without authorization. The bill also mandates that operators provide written receipts for bodies delivered for resomation and maintain records for at least seven years. Additionally, it clarifies conditions for resomation when a death is under the jurisdiction of a coroner or medical examiner and establishes alkaline hydrolysis as a recognized practice within funeral services, thereby setting qualifications for operators of such facilities.

Statutes affected:
SB 440: 17-29-304(b), 17-29-311(a), 17-29-311(e), 17-29-311(f), 17-29-313, 8-4-203, 17-29-208, 17-29-401, 23-61-1101, 23-61-1103(a)