85R1715 KKR-D     By: Davis of Harris H.B. No. 1155       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the cremation of human remains by alkaline hydrolysis.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 711.001(7) and (8), Health and Safety   Code, are amended to read as follows:                (7)  "Cremation" means the irreversible process of   reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone   fragments, through extreme heat and evaporation or through alkaline   hydrolysis. The process[, which] may include the processing or the   pulverization of bone fragments.                (8)  "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace   or alkaline hydrolysis vessel used or intended to be used for the   cremation of human remains. The term includes a facility that   cremates human remains through alkaline hydrolysis.          SECTION 2.  Section 716.001(5), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:                (5)  "Cremation" means the irreversible process of   reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone   fragments, through direct flame, extreme heat, and evaporation or   through alkaline hydrolysis. The term may include pulverization,   which is the process of reducing identifiable bone fragments after   cremation and processing granulated particles by manual or   mechanical means.          SECTION 3.  Section 716.002, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 716.002.  CREMATION RULES. (a) The commission may   adopt rules consistent with this chapter and Chapter 651,   Occupations Code, to govern the cremation of human remains.          (b)  Notwithstanding this chapter and Chapter 651,   Occupations Code, the commission may modify cremation procedures   and requirements under Subchapter D to the extent necessary to   allow cremation through alkaline hydrolysis.          SECTION 4.  Section 651.001(3), Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:                (3)  "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace   or alkaline hydrolysis vessel used or intended to be used for the   cremation of human remains. The term includes a facility that   cremates human remains through alkaline hydrolysis.          SECTION 5.  Section 651.651(1), Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:                (1)  "Cremation" means the irreversible process of   reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone   fragments, through direct flame, extreme heat, and evaporation or   through alkaline hydrolysis. The term may include pulverization,   which is the process of reducing identifiable bone fragments after   cremation and processing granulated particles by manual or   mechanical means.          SECTION 6.  Not later than December 1, 2017, the Texas   Funeral Service Commission shall adopt rules to implement the   changes in law made by this Act.          SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.