Bureau to file regulatory package for natural organic reduction facilities with OAL by year-end

Staff described draft regulations to license and regulate natural organic reduction (sometimes called "reduction") facilities and said the bureau expects to file the regulatory package with the Office of Administrative Law by the end of the year.

Elmer summarized the regulatory approach, saying the bill and draft text would require the bureau to license reduction facilities and reduction-facility managers and to apply requirements broadly comparable to crematories and hydrolysis facilities. Gina Chevarini Sanchez said the bureau held a public workshop on the draft, took comments, addressed formatting and clarity issues (including cleanliness and contracting language) and clarified that preneed contracts must be treated as funeral preneed trust funds when a facility performs preneed arrangements.

Gina told committee members she does not expect the bureau to expose the draft again to the advisory committee before the OAL filing because of the timing; once the package is with OAL there will be another formal public-comment opportunity and the bureau will email advisory members and interested parties directly.

Ending: The bureau plans to file the rule package with OAL by year-end and encouraged advisory members to submit formal comments during the OAL process.