89R5785 EAS-D     By: Hernandez H.B. No. 2200       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the cremation of human remains by natural organic   reduction.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 711.001(11), (12), and (13), Health and   Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:                (11)  "Cremated remains" or "cremains" means the   essential elements, including bone fragments, remaining after the   cremation process, which may include the residue of any foreign   materials that were cremated with the human remains.                (12)  "Cremation" means the irreversible process of   reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone   fragments, through extreme heat and evaporation or through natural   organic reduction. The process[, which] may include the processing   or the pulverization of bone fragments.                (13)  "Crematory" means a structure containing a   furnace or natural organic reduction chamber used or intended to be   used for the cremation of human remains. The term includes a   facility that cremates human remains through natural organic   reduction.          SECTION 2.  Sections 716.001(5), (6), and (9), Health and   Safety Code, are 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 natural organic reduction. 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.                (6)  "Cremation chamber" means an enclosed chamber    [retort] used exclusively for cremation of human remains. The term   includes a natural organic reduction chamber.                 (9)  "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace   or natural organic reduction chamber [retort] used or intended to   be used for cremating [cremation of] human remains.  The term   includes a facility that cremates human remains through natural   organic reduction.          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 the provisions of 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 natural organic reduction.          SECTION 4.  Section 716.151(a), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Section 716.1525, human [Human]   remains must be placed in a cremation container that:                (1)  is made of combustible materials suitable for   cremation;                (2)  provides a complete covering of the body;                (3)  is resistant to leakage or spillage;                (4)  is rigid for easy handling; and                (5)  protects the health and safety of crematory   personnel.          SECTION 5.  Subchapter D, Chapter 716, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 716.1525 to read as follows:          Sec. 716.1525.  NATURAL ORGANIC REDUCTION CREMATION.     Notwithstanding Sections 716.151 and 716.152, the commission by   rule shall establish the requirements for cremation through natural   organic reduction, including rules for the cremation process and   for containers used in the process.          SECTION 6.  Section 651.001(3), Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:                (3)  "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace   or natural organic reduction chamber used or intended to be used for   the cremation of human remains. The term includes a facility that   cremates human remains through natural organic reduction.          SECTION 7.  Sections 651.651(1) and (2), Occupations Code,   are 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 natural organic reduction. 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.                (2)  "Crematory establishment" means a business   licensed under this subchapter to operate a crematory and to   perform cremation services, including a facility that cremates   human remains through natural organic reduction.          SECTION 8.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas   Funeral Service Commission shall adopt rules to implement the   changes in law made by this Act.          SECTION 9.  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, 2025.