The bill amends several sections of Chapter 5-33.2 of the General Laws, which governs funeral directors, embalmers, and funeral service establishments. It introduces new definitions for "disposition facility," "natural organic reduction (NOR)," and "natural organic reduction facility," clarifying the processes involved in handling human remains. The terminology is updated by replacing "crematory" with "disposition facility" throughout the text, thereby broadening the scope of services to include both cremation and natural organic reduction.

The bill mandates that no disposition facility may conduct these services without a license from the department and outlines the necessary permits and consents required prior to the disposition of human remains. It specifies that disposition shall occur without unreasonable delay and prohibits a disposition facility from simultaneously conducting the process of reduction of more than one human remain within the same disposition chamber.

Additionally, the bill establishes that a disposition facility or funeral home may dispose of remains that have been abandoned for more than six months. It updates the fee structure for various professions under the Department of Health, including a $120 application fee for disposition facilities. The bill also introduces a new section on permits related to the custody and final disposition of deceased bodies, requiring that a burial-transit permit be prepared within seven days of death and emphasizing the need for proper documentation for disinterment and re-interment.

Overall, these amendments aim to modernize the legal framework governing funeral services, enhance consumer protection, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards in the industry.

Statutes affected:
195: 23-1-54, 23-3-18