Existing law establishes provisions for the cremation of human remains and the operation of facilities for cremation, regulated by the Nevada Funeral and Cemetery Services Board. (NRS 451.600-451.715) This bill authorizes the use of natural organic reduction for the disposition of human remains, which is defined by section 1 of this bill as the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Section 3 of this bill revises the definition of “cremation” to include natural organic reduction. As a result of the incorporation of natural organic reduction into this definition, certain penalty provisions for violations of various requirements governing the disposition of human remains and the licensing, permitting and certification of operators and facilities are also applicable to natural organic reduction. (Chapter 642 of NRS, NRS 451.635, 451.715) Section 9 of this bill makes a conforming change to indicate that a violation of the provisions governing natural organic reduction is subject to certain criminal penalties. Section 6 of this bill requires containers used for natural organic reduction to consist of materials that are readily reducible by natural organic reduction. Section 5 of this bill authorizes the Board to adopt regulations governing natural organic reduction. Existing law imposes restrictions on where crematories in certain cities and towns may be located, but provides an exception for crematories proposing to cremate human remains only using alkaline hydrolysis if the board of county commissioners of the county or the governing body of the city or town, as applicable, provides written notice to the Board consenting to the proposed location. (NRS 451.635) Section 4 of this bill adds crematories proposing to cremate human remains using only natural organic reduction to this exception. Existing law requires cremated remains for certain disposition be reduced to particles no larger than one-eighth of an inch. (NRS 451.700) Section 8 of this bill exempts the soil resulting from natural organic reduction from this size requirement. Section 7 of this bill makes a conforming change to account for the inclusion of natural organic reduction, and the soil resulting from it, in the definition of cremation. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change to indicate the proper placement of section 1 in the Nevada Revised Statutes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 451.600, 451.617, 451.635, 451.640, 451.670, 451.680, 451.700, 451.715
As Enrolled: 451.600, 451.617, 451.635, 451.640, 451.670, 451.680, 451.700, 451.715
BDR: 451.600, 451.617, 451.635, 451.640, 451.670, 451.680, 451.700, 451.715