New Hampshire SB 53: relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.

Bill Text

SB 53-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION

 25-1045

 09/08

SENATE BILL 53-FN

AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains. 

SPONSORS: Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Watters, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

 This bill allows for the natural organic reduction of human remains and provides for regulation of the practice.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 25-1045

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Short Title. This act may be known as and cited to as the "Live Free and Die Free Act."

 2 New Chapter; Natural Organic Reduction of Human Remains. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 325-A the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 325-B

NATURAL ORGANIC REDUCTION OF HUMAN REMAINS

 325-B:1 ?Definitions. ?In this chapter: 

 I. “Alternative container” means a container in which remains are placed prior to NOR (natural organic reduction).

 II. ?"Authorizing agent" means a person vested with the right to control the disposition of human remains pursuant to RSA 290. 

 III. ?"Board" means the state board of registration of funeral directors and embalmers established under RSA 325:2.

 IV. ?"Disposition container" means a container in which human remains are placed and means a container made of wood, wicker, grass, cardboard, or other bio-degradable container, or a shroud made of cotton, linen, wool, hemp, or other woven plant material. 

 V. ?"Funeral director" means funeral director as defined in RSA 325. 

 VI. ? "Holding facility" means the area of a NOR facility designated for the retention of human remains prior to NOR and includes a refrigerated facility. 

 VII. ?"Human remains" means the body of a deceased person, or a human body part, in any stage of decomposition and includes limbs or other portions of the anatomy that are removed from a person or human remains for medical purposes during treatment, surgery, biopsy, autopsy, or medical research. 

 VIII. ?"Natural organic reduction" or "NOR" means the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.

 IX. ?"Natural organic reduction authority" means the legal entity subject to licensure by the board to maintain and operate a NOR facility and perform NOR.

 X. ?“Natural organic reduction certificate” is a document provided by the NOR authority certifying NOR has been completed on a specified deceased person. 

 XI. ?"Natural organic reduction chamber" means the enclosed stainless steel space within which NOR will take place. 

 XII. ?"Natural organic reduction delivery receipt form" means a form provided by a funeral establishment to a NOR facility to document the receipt of human remains by such authority for the purpose of NOR. 

 XIII. ?"Natural organic reduction facility" means a building or structure or a room or other space in a building or structure or real property where NOR is facilitated and occurs. ? 

 XIV. ?"Natural organic reduction operator" means a person who is responsible for the operation of a natural organic reduction. 

 XV. ?“Natural organic reduction soil receipt form" means a form provided by a reduction facility to an authorizing agent or his or her representative that identifies the NOR soil, and the person authorized to receive some or all of the soil. 

 XVI ?"Reduced remains" means the results of performing NOR on a deceased person.

 XVII. ?"Temporary container" means a receptacle made of cardboard, plastic, or other similar material in which NOR soils are placed. 

 325-B:2 ?Natural Organic Reduction Facility; License Required. ? A NOR facility shall not be established, operated, or maintained in this state except by a natural organic reduction authority licensed by the board under RSA 325. ? The board shall issue a license to a NOR authority that satisfies the requirements for licensure under the chapter. ?Human remains shall not be naturally organically reduced in this state except at a NOR facility operated by a NOR authority licensed under this chapter. 

 325-B:3 ? Building and Location Requirements. 

 I. ? A NOR facility shall conform to all building codes and environmental regulations. 

 II. ?A NOR facility may be constructed at any location, including within a funeral home or a crematorium, consistent with applicable zoning and environmental regulations.

 325-B:4 ?License; Application; Requirements. ? An applicant for an initial or renewal license as a N