The bill proposes an amendment to 505 CMR 4.03 regarding the fees assessed for cremation or burial at sea views by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Massachusetts. The amendment aims to increase the fee to better support the comprehensive system of medicolegal investigative services provided by the agency, in line with its increased retained revenue budget. The anticipated revenue from this fee increase is projected to be approximately $8.6 million, based on the estimated 30,000+ cremation views conducted by the OCME annually.

A public hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2025, to discuss the proposed changes, and the amended regulation is expected to take effect no sooner than sixty days following the hearing. This adjustment reflects the OCME's efforts to enhance its financial resources to maintain and improve its services.