103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3158

 

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act. Provides that any person doing business in this State, or any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural organic reduction facility in the State and provide the necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic reduction of human remains in accordance with the Act. Provides that an individual or a person, cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation, partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic reduction facility operated by a disposition authority licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations provided in the Act. Provides for: grounds for denial or discipline; surrender of a license; license, display, transfer; authorizing agent; authorization for natural organic reduction; performance of natural organic reduction services, training; recordkeeping; natural organic reduction procedures; disposition of reduced human remains; limitation of liability; hazardous implants; penalties; failure to file an annual report; injunctive action, cease and desist order; service of notice; investigations, notice and hearing; compelling testimony; administrative review, venue, certification of record, costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements.


LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3158LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act..
 
6    Section 5. Legislative intent. The practice of natural
7organic reduction in the State is declared to be a practice
8affecting the public health, safety, and welfare and subject
9to regulation and control in the public interest. It is
10further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern
11that the preparation, care, and final disposition of a
12deceased human body be attended with appropriate observance
13and understanding, having due regard and respect for the
14reverent care of the human body and for those bereaved and the
15overall spiritual dignity of the human. It is further a matter
16of public interest that the practice of natural organic
17reduction as defined in this Act, be done only by qualified
18persons authorized by this Act. This Act shall be liberally
19construed to best carry out these subjects and purposes.
 
20    Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
21    "Address of record" means the designated address recorded
22by the Comptroller in the applicant's or licensee's

 

 

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1application file or license file. The address of record shall
2be the permanent street address of the natural organic
3reduction facility.
4    "Alternative container" means a receptacle or
5biodegradable external wrapping, other than a casket, in which
6human remains are transported to the natural organic reduction
7facility. An alternative container shall be: (i) able to be
8closed in order to provide a complete covering for the human
9remains; (ii) resistant to leakage or spillage; (iii) rigid
10enough for handling with ease; and (iv) able to provide
11protection for the health, safety, and personal integrity of
12the natural organic reduction facilities personnel.
13    "Authorizing agent" means a person legally entitled to
14order the natural organic reduction and final disposition of
15specific human remains. "Authorizing agent" includes an
16institution of medical, mortuary, or other sciences as
17provided in Section 20 of the Disposition of Remains of the
18Indigent Act.
19    "Body parts" means limbs or other portions of the anatomy
20that are removed from a person or human remains for medical
21purposes during treatment, surgery, biopsy, autopsy, or
22medical research or human bodies or any portion of bodies that
23have been donated to science for medical research purposes.
24    "Burial transit permit" means a permit for disposition of
25a dead human body as required by State law.
26    "Casket" means a ridged container that is designed for the

 

 

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1encasement of human remains. A casket is usually constructed
2of wood, metal, or like material and ornamented and lined with
3fabric, and may or may not be combustible.
4    "Comptroller" means the Comptroller of the State.
5    "Disposition authority" means the legal entity which is
6licensed by the Comptroller to operate a natural organic
7reduction facility and to perform natural organic reductions.
8    "Final disposition" means the burial, cremation, natural
9organic reduction, or other disposition of human remains or
10parts of human remains.
11    "Funeral director" means a person known by the title of
12"funeral director", "funeral director and embalmer", or other
13similar words or titles licensed by the State to practice
14funeral directing or funeral directing and embalming.
15    "Funeral establishment" means a building or separate
16portion of a building having a specific street address and
17location and devoted to activities relating to the shelter,
18care, custody, and preparation of a deceased human body and
19may contain facilities for funeral or wake services.
20    "Holding facility" means an area that: (i) is designated
21for the retention of human remains prior to natural organic
22reduction; (ii) complies with all applicable public health
23law; (iii) preserves the health and safety of the natural
24organic reduction facilities personnel; and (iv) is secure
25from access by anyone other than authorized persons. A holding
26facility may be located in the natural organic reduction room,

 

 

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1consistent with the refrigeration requirements of this Act.
2    "Human remains" means the body of a deceased person,
3including any form of body prosthesis that has been
4permanently attached or implanted in the body.
5    "Integrate into the soil" means the authorized addition
6and mixing of reduced human remains with existing soil in a
7defined area within a dedicated cemetery, conservation area,
8property where the person who has control over the disposition
9of the reduced human remains has obtained written permission
10of the property owner.
11    "Licensee" means an entity licensed under this Act. An
12entity that holds itself as a licensee or that is accused of
13unlicensed practice is considered a licensee for purposes of
14enforcement, investigation, hearings, and the Illinois
15Administrative Procedure Act.
16    "Natural organic reduction" means the process of
17transforming a human body into soil using the natural
18decomposition process, accelerated with the addition of
19organic materials through the following steps:
20        (1) The body of a deceased person is mixed together
21    with natural materials and air and is periodically turned,
22    eventually resulting in the body's reduction to a soil
23    material.
24        (2) Large tanks, containers, or similar vessels hold
25    human remains together with straw, wood chips, or other
26    natural materials until the process is complete.

 

 

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1        (3) The processing of the remains after removal from
2    the reduction chamber.
3    "Natural organic reduction authorization" means the
4natural organic reduction form authorizing a natural organic
5reduction which is signed by the next of kin or authorizing
6agent. This natural organic reduction form must be a separate
7document and cannot be a part of another form or document.
8    "Natural organic reduction facility" means the building or
9portions of a building that houses the natural organic
10reduction room and the holding facility.
11    "Natural organic reduction room" means the room in which
12the reduction chambers are located.
13    "Niche" means a compartment or cubicle for the
14memorialization and permanent placement of an urn containing
15reduced remains.
16    "Person" means any person, partnership, association,
17corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, and
18in the case of any such business organization, its officers,
19partners, members, or shareholders possessing 25% or more of
20ownership of the entity.
21    "Processing" means the removal of foreign objects as well
22as, but not limited to, grinding, crushing, and pulverizing of
23the remaining teeth and bones for the reduced human remains to
24be integrated into the soil.
25    "Pulverization" means the reduction of identifiable bone
26fragments after the completion of the natural organic

 

 

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1reduction process to granulated particles by manual or
2mechanical means.
3    "Reduction chamber" means the enclosed space within which
4individual human remains are reduced and any other attached,
5non-enclosed, mechanical components that are necessary for the
6safe and proper functioning of the equipment. A reduction
7chamber shall meet or exceed the requirements set by the
8Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for
9Disease Control and Prevention for destruction of human
10pathogens.
11    "Reduced human remains" means the remains of a human body
12that have been reduced to soil through a process of reduction.
13"Reduced human remains" does not include foreign materials,
14pacemakers, or prostheses.
15    "Reduced remains interment container" means a rigid outer
16container that is subject to a cemetery's rules and
17regulations.
18    "Scattering area" means an area which may be designated by
19a cemetery and located on dedicated cemetery property, or an
20area designated as a scattering area on private land or a
21privately owned nature preserve where reduced human remains,
22which have been removed from the container, can be mixed with,
23or placed on top of, the soil or ground cover.
24    "Temporary container" means a receptacle for reduced human
25remains, usually composed of cardboard, plastic or similar
26material, that can be closed in a manner that prevents the

 

 

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1leakage or spillage of the reduced human remains or the
2entrance of foreign material and is a single container of
3sufficient size to hold the reduced human remains until an urn
4is acquired, or the reduced human remains are scattered.
5    "Urn" means a receptacle designed to encase a portion of
6the reduced human remains.
 
7    Section 15. Powers and duties of the Comptroller. Subject
8to the provisions of this Act, the Comptroller may exercise
9any of the following powers and duties:
10        (1) authorize standards to ascertain the
11    qualifications and fitness of applicants for licensing as
12    licensed natural organic reduction authorities and pass
13    upon the qualifications of applicants for licensure;
14        (2) examine and audit a licensed disposition
15    authority's record, natural organic reduction facility, or
16    any other aspects of the natural organic reduction
17    operations as the Comptroller deems appropriate;
18        (3) investigate any and all unlicensed activity;
19        (4) conduct hearings on proceedings to refuse to issue
20    licenses or to revoke, suspend, place on probation,
21    reprimand, or otherwise discipline licensees and to refuse
22    to issue licenses or to revoke, suspend, place on
23    probation, reprimand, or otherwise discipline licensees;
24        (5) formulate rules required for the administration of
25    this Act; and

 

 

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1        (6) maintain rosters of the names and addresses of all
2    licensees, and all entities whose licenses have been
3    suspended, revoked, or otherwise disciplined. These
4    rosters shall be available upon written request and
5    payment of the required fee.
 
6    Section 20. Establishment of a natural organic reduction
7facility and licensing of disposition authority.
8    (a) Any person doing business in this State, or any
9cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation,
10partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or any
11other entity, may erect, maintain, and operate a natural
12organic reduction facility in this State and provide the
13necessary appliances and facilities for the natural organic
14reduction of human remains in accordance with this Act.
15    (b) A natural organic reduction facility shall be subject
16to all local, State, and federal health and environmental
17protection requirements and shall obtain all necessary
18licenses and permits from the Department of Financial and
19Professional Regulation, the Department of Public Health, the
20federal Department of Health and Human Services, and the State
21and federal Environmental Protection Agencies, or such other
22appropriate local, State, or federal agencies.
23    (c) A natural organic reduction facility may be
24constructed on or adjacent to any cemetery, crematory, on or
25adjacent to any funeral establishment, or at any other

 

 

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1location consistent with local zoning regulations.
2    (d) An application for licensure as a disposition
3authority shall be in writing on forms furnished by the
4Comptroller. Applications shall be accompanied by a fee of
5$250 and shall contain all of the following:
6        (1) the full name and address, both residence and
7    business, of the applicant if the applicant is an
8    individual; the full name and address of every member if
9    the applicant is a partnership; the full name and address
10    of every member of the board of directors if the applicant
11    is an association; and the name and address of every
12    officer, director, and shareholder holding more than 25%
13    of the corporate stock if the applicant is a corporation;
14        (2) the address and location of the natural organic
15    reduction facility;
16        (3) a description of the type of structure, equipment,
17    and technical process to be used in the operation of the
18    natural organic reduction facility; and
19        (4) any further information that the Comptroller
20    reasonably may require.
21    (e) Each disposition authority shall file an annual report
22with the Comptroller, accompanied with a $25 fee plus $15 for
23each natural organic reduction performed that calendar year,
24providing (i) an affidavit signed by the owner of the natural
25organic reduction facility that at the time of the report the
26natural organic reduction device was in proper operating

 

 

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1condition and all annual recommended maintenance by the
2manufacturer was performed, (ii) the total number of all
3natural organic reduction performed at the natural organic
4reduction facility during the past year, (iii) attestation by
5the licensee that all applicable permits and certifications
6are valid, (iv) either (A) any changes required in the
7information provided under subsection (d) or (B) an indication
8that no changes have occurred, and (v) any other information
9that the Comptroller may require. The annual report shall be
10filed by a disposition authority on or before March 15 of each
11calendar year. If the fiscal year of a disposition authority
12is other than on a calendar year basis, then the disposition
13authority shall file the report required by this Section
14within 75 days after the end of its fiscal year. If a
15disposition authority fails to submit an annual report to the
16Comptroller within the time specified in this Section, the
17Comptroller shall impose upon a disposition authority a
18penalty of $5 for each and every day the disposition authority
19remains delinquent in submitting the annual report. The
20Comptroller may abate all or part of the $5 daily penalty for
21good cause shown.
22    (f) All records required to be maintained under this Act,
23including, but not limited to, those relating to the license
24and annual report of the disposition authority required to be
25filed under this Section, shall be subject to inspection by
26the Comptroller upon reasonable notice.

 

 

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1    (g) The Comptroller may inspect a natural organic
2reduction facility record at the disposition authority's place
3of business to review the licensee's compliance with this Act.
4The Comptroller may charge a fee for the inspection of $100 to
5the licensee. The inspection must include verification that:
6        (1) the disposition authority has complied with
7    record-keeping requirements of this Act;
8        (2) a natural organic reduction device operator's
9    certification of training and the required continuing
10    education certification is conspicuously displayed at the
11    natural organic reduction facility;
12        (3) the disposition authority is in compliance with
13    local zoning requirements;
14        (4) the disposition authority license issued by the
15    Comptroller is conspicuously displayed at the natural
16    organic reduction facility; and
17        (5) other details as determined by rule.
18    (h) Every license issued hereunder shall be renewed every
195 years for a renewal fee of $250. The renewal fee shall be
20deposited into the Comptroller's Administrative Fund. The
21Comptroller, upon the request of an interested person or on
22his own motion, may issue new licenses to a licensee whose
23license or licenses have been revoked, if no factor or
24condition then exists which would have warranted the
25Comptroller to originally refuse the issuance of such license.
 

 

 

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1    Section 25. Grounds for denial or discipline.
2    (a) In this Section, "applicant" means a person who has
3applied for a license under this Act including those persons
4whose names are listed on a license application in Section 20
5of this Act.
6    (b) The Comptroller may refuse to issue a license, place
7on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary action
8that the Comptroller may deem appropriate, including imposing
9fines not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, with regard to
10any license under this Act, or may suspend or revoke a license
11issued under this Act, on any of the following grounds:
12        (1) The applicant or licensee has made any
13    misrepresentation or false statement or concealed any
14    material fact in furnishing information to the
15    Comptroller.
16        (2) The applicant or licensee has been engaged in
17    fraudulent business practices.
18        (3) The applicant or licensee has refused to give
19    information required under this Act to be disclosed to the
20    Comptroller or failing, within 30 days, to provide
21    information in response to a written request made by the
22    Comptroller.
23        (4) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or
24    unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive,
25    defraud, or harm the public.
26        (5) As to any individual listed in the license

 

 

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1    application as required under Section 20, that individual
2    has conducted or is about to conduct any natural organic
3    reduction business on behalf of the applicant in a
4    fraudulent manner or has been convicted of any felony or
5    misdemeanor an essential element of which is fraud.
6        (6) The applicant or licensee has failed to make the
7    annual report required by this Act or to comply with a
8    final order, decision, or finding of the Comptroller made
9    under this Act.
10        (7) The applicant or licensee, including any member,
11    officer, or director of the applicant or licensee if the
12    applicant or licensee is a firm, partnership, association,
13    or corporation and including any shareholder holding more
14    than 25% of the corporate stock of the applicant or
15    licensee, has violated any provision of this Act or any
16    regulation or order made by the Comptroller under this
17    Act.
18        (8) The Comptroller finds any fact or condition
19    existing that, if it had existed at the time of the
20    original application for a license under this Act, would
21    have warranted the Comptroller in refusing the issuance of
22    the license.
23        (9) Any violation of this Act or of the rules adopted
24    under this Act.
25        (10) Incompetence.
26        (11) Gross malpractice.

 

 

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1        (12) Discipline by another state, District of
2    Columbia, territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of
3    the grounds for the discipline is the same or
4    substantially equivalent to those set forth in this
5    Section.
6        (13) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving
7    from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or
8    association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of
9    compensation for professional services not actually or
10    personally rendered.
11        (14) A finding by the Comptroller that the licensee,
12    after having its license placed on probationary status,
13    has violated the terms of probation.
14        (15) Willfully making or filing false records or
15    reports, including, but not limited to, false records
16    filed with State agencies or departments.
17        (16) Gross, willful, or continued overcharging for
18    professional services, including filing false statements
19    for collection of fees for which services are not
20    rendered.
21        (17) Practicing under a false or, except as provided
22    by law, an assumed name.
23        (18) Cheating on or attempting to subvert this Act's
24    licensing application process.
 
25    Section 30. License revocation or suspension; surrender of

 

 

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1license. Upon the revocation or suspension of a license issued
2under this Act, the licensee must immediately surrender the
3license to the Comptroller. If the licensee fails to do so, the
4Comptroller may seize the license.
 
5    Section 35. Surrender of license; effect on licensee's
6liability. A licensee may surrender a license issued under
7this Act by delivering to the Comptroller a written notice
8stating that the licensee thereby surrenders the license, but
9such a surrender does not affect the licensee's civil or
10criminal liability for acts committed before the surrender.
 
11    Section 40. License; display; transfer; duration.
12    (a) Every license issued under this Act must state the
13number of the license, the business name and address of the
14licensee's principal place of business, and the licensee's
15parent company, if any. The license must be conspicuously
16posted in the place of business operating under the license.
17    (b) After initial licensure, if any person comes to obtain
18at least 51% of the ownership over the natural organic
19reduction facility, then the disposition authority shall apply
20for a new license in the required time as set out by rule.
21    (c) Every license issued under this Act shall remain in
22force until it has been surrendered, suspended, or revoked in
23accordance with this Act. Upon the request of an interested
24person or on the Comptroller's own motion, the Comptroller may

 

 

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1issue a new license to a licensee whose license has been
2revoked under this Act if no factor or condition then exists
3which would have warranted the Comptroller in originally
4refusing the issuance of the license.
 
5    Section 45. Authorizing agent. The priority of the person
6or persons who have the right to serve as the authorizing agent
7for natural organic reduction is in the same priority as
8provided for in Section 5 of the Disposition of Remains Act.
 
9    Section 50. Natural organic reduction only in a natural
10organic reduction facility. An individual or a person,
11cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, corporation,
12partnership, joint venture, voluntary organization, or other
13entity may reduce human remains only in a natural organic
14reduction facility operated by a disposition authority
15licensed for this purpose and only under the limitations
16provided in this Act.
 
17    Section 55. Authorization for natural organic reduction.
18    (a) A disposition authority shall not reduce human remains
19by natural organic reduction until it has received all of the
20following:
21        (1) a natural organic reduction authorization form
22    signed by the next of kin or authorizing agent. The
23    natural organic reduction authorization form shall be

 

 

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1    provided by the disposition authority and shall contain,
2    at a minimum, the following information:
3            (A) the identity of the human remains and the time
4        and date of death;
5            (B) the name of the funeral director and funeral
6        establishment, if applicable, that obtained the
7        natural organic reduction authorization;
8            (C) notification as to whether the death occurred
9        from a disease declared by the Illinois Department of
10        Health to be infectious, contagious, communicable, or
11        dangerous to the public health;
12            (D) the name of the authorizing agent and the
13        relationship between the authorizing agent and the
14        decedent;
15            (E) a representation that the authorizing agent
16        does in fact have the right to authorize the natural
17        organic reduction of the decedent, and that the
18        authorizing agent is not aware of any living person
19        who has a superior priority right to that of the
20        authorizing agent, as set forth in Section 45. In the
21        event there is another living person who has a
22        superior priority right to that of the authorizing
23        agent, the form shall contain a representation that
24        the authorizing agent has made all reasonable efforts
25        to contact that person, has been unable to do so, and
26        has no reason to believe that the person would object

 

 

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1        to the natural organic reduction of the decedent;
2            (F) authorization for the disposition authority to
3        reduce the human remains by natural organic reduction;
4            (G) a representation that the human remains do not
5        contain any other material or implant that may be
6        potentially hazardous or cause damage to the natural
7        organic reduction chamber or the person performing the
8        natural organic reduction;
9            (H) the name of the person authorized to receive
10        the reduced remains from the disposition authority;
11            (I) the manner in which final disposition of the
12        reduced human remains is to take place, if known. If
13        the reduction authorization form does not specify
14        final disposition in a grave, crypt, niche, or
15        scattering area, then the form may indicate that the
16        reduced human remains will be held by the disposition
17        authority for 30 days before they are released, unless
18        they are picked up from the disposition authority
19        prior to that time, in person, by the authorizing
20        agent with prior consent from the authorizing agent.
21        At the end of the 60 days the disposition authority may
22        return the reduced human remains to the authorizing
23        agent if no final disposition arrangements are made;
24        or at the end of 60 days the disposition authority may
25        dispose of the reduced human remains in accordance
26        with this subsection (b) of Section 75;

 

 

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1            (J) a listing of any items of value to be delivered
2        to the disposition authority along with the human
3        remains, and instructions as to how the items should
4        be handled;
5            (K) a specific statement as to whether the
6        authorizing agent has made arrangements for any type
7        of viewing of the decedent before natural organic
8        reduction or for a service with the decedent present
9        before natural organic reduction in connection with
10        the natural organic reduction, and if so, the date and
11        time of the viewing or service and whether the
12        disposition authority is authorized to proceed with
13        the natural organic reduction upon receipt of the
14        human remains;
15            (L) the signature of the authorizing agent,
16        attesting to the accuracy of all representations
17        contained on the natural organic reduction
18        authorization form, except as set forth in paragraph
19        (M) of this subsection;
20            (M) if a natural organic reduction form is being
21        executed on a pre-need basis, the natural organic
22        reduction authorization form shall contain the
23        disclosure required by subsection (b) of Sec 125; and
24            (N) the natural organic reduction authorization
25        form, other than preneed natural organic reduction
26        forms, shall also be signed by a funeral director or

 

 

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1        other representative of the disposition authority that
2        obtained the natural organic reduction authorization.
3        That individual shall merely execute the natural
4        organic reduction authorization form as a witness and
5        shall not be responsible for any of the
6        representations made by the authorizing agent, unless
7        the individual has actual knowledge to the contrary.
8        The information requested by subparagraphs (A), (B),
9        (C), and (G) of this subsection, however, shall be
10        considered to be representations of the authorizing
11        agent. The funeral director or funeral establishment
12        shall warrant to the natural organic reduction
13        facility that the human remains delivered to the
14        disposition authority are the human remains identified
15        on the natural organic reduction authorization form;
16        (2) a completed and executed burial transit permit
17    indicating that the human remains are to be reduced; and
18        (3) any other documentation required by this State.
19    (b) If an authorizing agent is not available to execute a
20natural organic reduction authorization form in person, that
21person may use an electronic signature or may delegate that
22authority to another person in writing, or by sending the
23disposition authority a facsimile transmission that contains
24the name, address, and relationship of the sender to the
25decedent and the name and address of the individual to whom
26authority is delegated. Upon receipt of the written document,

 

 

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1or facsimile transmission, telegram, or other electronic
2telecommunications transmission which specifies the individual
3to whom authority has been delegated, the disposition
4authority shall allow this individual to serve as the
5authorizing agent and to execute the natural organic reduction
6authorization form. The disposition authority shall be
7entitled to rely upon the natural organic reduction
8authorization form without liability.
9    (c) An authorizing agent who signs a natural organic
10reduction authorization form shall be deemed to warrant the
11truthfulness of any facts set forth on the natural organic
12reduction authorization form, including that person's
13authority to order the natural organic reduction, except for
14the information required by subparagraphs (C) and (G) of
15paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Section, unless the
16authorizing agent has actual knowledge to the contrary. An
17authorizing agent signing a natural organic reduction
18authorization form shall be personally and individually liable
19for all damages occasioned by and resulting from authorizing
20the natural organic reduction.
21    (d) A disposition authority shall have authority to reduce
22human remains upon the receipt of a natural organic reduction
23authorization form signed by an authorizing agent. There shall
24be no liability for the natural organic reduction disposition
25authority according to a natural organic reduction
26authorization, or that releases or disposes of the reduced

 

 

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1human remains according to a natural organic reduction
2authorization, except for a disposition authority's gross
3negligence, provided that the disposition authority performs
4its functions in compliance with this Act.
5    (e) After an authorizing agent has executed a natural
6organic reduction authorization form and before the natural
7organic reduction process has started, the authorizing agent
8may revoke the authorization and instruct the disposition
9authority to cancel the natural organic reduction and to
10release or deliver the human remains to another disposition
11authority or funeral establishment. The instructions shall be
12provided to the disposition authority in writing. A
13disposition authority shall honor any instructions given to it
14by an authorizing agent under this Section if it receives the
15instructions prior to beginning the reducing of the human
16remains.
 
17    Section 60. Performance of natural organic reduction
18services; training. A person may not perform a natural organic
19reduction service in this State unless the person has
20completed training in performing natural organic reduction
21services and received certification by a program recognized by
22the Comptroller. The disposition authority must conspicuously
23display the certification at the disposition authority's place
24of business. A continuing education natural organic reduction
25course of at least 2 hours in length from a recognized provider

 

 

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1must be completed every 5 years by each person performing a
2natural organic reduction service. For purposes of this Act,
3the Comptroller may recognize any training program that
4provides training in the operation of a natural organic
5reduction device, in the maintenance of a clean facility, and
6in the proper handling of human remains. The Comptroller may
7recognize any course that is conducted by a death care trade
8association in the State or the United States for natural
9organic reduction or by a manufacturer of a natural organic
10reduction unit that is consistent with the standards provided
11in this Act or as otherwise determined by rule.
 
12    Section 65. Recordkeeping.
13    (a) The disposition authority shall furnish to the funeral
14director who delivers human remains to the disposition
15authority a receipt signed at the time of delivery by both the
16disposition authority and the funeral director who delivers
17the human remains, showing the date and time of the delivery,
18the type of alternative container or external wrapping that
19was delivered, the name of the person from whom the human
20remains were received and the name of the funeral
21establishment or other entity with whom the person is
22affiliated, the name of the person who received the human
23remains on behalf of the disposition authority, and the name
24of the decedent. The disposition authority shall retain a copy
25of this receipt in its permanent records.

 

 

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1    (b) Upon its release of the reduced human remains, the
2disposition authority shall furnish to the person who receives
3the reduced human remains from the disposition authority a
4receipt signed by both the disposition authority and the
5person who receives the natural organic reduction remains,
6showing the date and time of the release, the name of the
7person to whom the reduced human remains were released and the
8name of the funeral establishment, cemetery, or other entity
9with whom the person is affiliated, the name of the person who
10released the reduced human remains on behalf of the
11disposition authority, and the name of the decedent. The
12natural organic reduction facility shall retain a copy of this
13receipt in its permanent records.
14    (c) A disposition authority shall maintain at its place of
15business a permanent record of each natural organic reduction
16that took place at its facility which shall contain the name of
17the decedent, the date of the natural organic reduction, and
18the final disposition of the reduced human remains.
19    (d) The disposition authority shall maintain a record of
20all reduced human remains disposed of by the disposition
21authority in accordance with subsection (d) of Section 75.
22    (e) Upon completion of the natural organic reduction, the
23disposition authority shall file the burial transit permit as
24required by the Illinois Vital Records Act and rules adopted
25under that Act and the Illinois Counties Code, and transmit a
26photocopy of the burial transit permit along with the reduced

 

 

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1human remains to whoever receives the reduced human remains
2from the authorizing agent unless the reduced human remains
3are to be interred, entombed, inurned, or placed in a
4scattering area, in which case the disposition authority shall
5retain a copy of the burial transit permit and shall send the
6permit, along with the reduced human remains, to the cemetery,
7which shall file the permit with the designated agency after
8the interment, entombment, inurnment, or scattering has taken
9place.
10    (f) All cemeteries shall maintain a record of all reduced
11human remains that are disposed of on their property, provided
12that the reduced human remains were properly transferred to
13the cemetery and the cemetery issued a receipt acknowledging
14the transfer of the reduced human remains.
 
15    Section 70. Natural organic reduction procedures.
16    (a) Human remains shall not be reduced within 24 hours
17after the time of death, as indicated on the Medical
18Examiner's or Coroner's Certificate of Death. In any death,
19the human remains shall not be reduced by the disposition
20authority until a natural organic reduction permit has been
21received from the coroner or medical examiner of the county in
22which the death occurred and the disposition authority has
23received a natural organic reduction authorization form,
24executed by an authorizing agent, in accordance with the
25provisions of Section 60 of this Act. In no instance, however,

 

 

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1shall the lapse of time between the death and the natural
2organic reduction be less than 24 hours, unless because of a
3religious requirement.
4    (b) Except as set forth in subsection (a), a disposition
5authority shall have the right to schedule the natural organic
6reduction to be performed at its own convenience, at any time
7after the human remains have been delivered to the disposition
8authority, unless the disposition authority has received
9specific instructions to the contrary on the natural organic
10reduction authorization form.
11    (c) No disposition authority shall reduce human remains
12when it has actual knowledge that human remains contain
13material or implant that may be potentially hazardous to the
14person performing the natural organic reduction.
15    (d) No disposition authority shall accept embalmed remains
16for natural organic reduction.
17    (e) Whenever a disposition authority is unable or
18unauthorized to reduce human remains immediately upon taking
19custody of the remains, the disposition authority shall place
20the human remains in operable refrigeration unit with
21cleanable, noncorrosive interior and exterior finishes. The
22unit must be capable of maintaining a temperature of less than
2340 degrees Fahrenheit or below and of holding at least 3
24bodies. For purposes of this section, immediately upon taking
25custody means within 24 hours of taking custody. The
26disposition authority must notify the authorizing agent of the

 

 

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1reasons for delay in the natural organic reduction if a
2properly authorized natural organic reduction is not performed
3within any time period expressly contemplated in the
4authorization.
5    (f) A disposition authority shall not accept an
6alternative container or external wrapping from which there is
7any evidence of the leakage of body fluids.
8    (g) A disposition authority shall not reduce the remains
9of more than one person at the same time and in the same
10reduction chamber or introduce the remains of a second person
11into the reduction chamber until the reduction of preceding
12remains has been terminated and reasonable efforts have been
13employed to remove all fragments of preceding remains. The
14fact that there is residue in the reduction chamber or other
15equipment or a container used in a prior reduction does not
16violate this section.
17    (h) No unauthorized person shall be permitted in the
18holding facility or natural organic reduction room while any
19human remains are being held there awaiting natural organic
20reduction, being reduced, or being removed from the reduction
21chamber.
22    (i) A disposition authority shall not remove any dental
23gold, body parts, organs, or any item of value prior to or
24subsequent to a natural organic reduction without previously
25having received specific written authorization from the
26authorizing agent and written instructions for the delivery of

 

 

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1these items to the authorizing agent. Under no circumstances
2shall a disposition authority profit from making or assisting
3in any removal of valuables.
4    (j) In instances when the remains of deceased human beings
5are to be delivered to a natural organic reduction facility in
6a casket that is not to be organically reduced with the
7deceased, timely disclosure thereof must be made by the person
8making the funeral arrangements to the natural organic
9reduction facility that prior to the natural organic reduction
10the remains of the deceased human being shall be transferred
11to an alternative container. Such signed acknowledgement of
12the authorizing person, that the timely disclosure has been
13made, shall be retained by the natural organic reduction
14facility in its permanent records.
15    (k) Analysis of material samples for natural organic
16reduction a disposition authority shall:
17        (1) collect material samples for analysis that are
18    representative of each instance of natural organic
19    reduction;
20        (2) analyze each material sample of composted remains
21    for physical contaminants. Composted remains must have
22    less than 0.01 mg per kg dry weight of physical
23    contaminants which include, but are not limited to, intact
24    bone, dental filings, and medical implants;
25        (3) analyze, using a third-party laboratory approved
26    by the Department of Public Health, the natural organic

 

 

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1    reduction facility's material samples of composted remains
2    according to the following schedule:
3            (i) the natural organic reduction facility's
4        initial twenty instances of composted remains for the
5        parameters identified in Table A, and any additional
6        instances of composted remains necessary to achieve
7        twenty material samples of composted remains meeting
8        the limits identified in Table A;
9            (ii) following twenty material samples of
10        composted remains meeting limits outlined in Table A,
11        analyze, at minimum, twenty-five percent of a natural
12        organic reduction facility's monthly instances of
13        composted remains for the parameters identified in
14        Table A until eighty total material samples of
15        composted remains have met the requirements in Table
16        A; or
17            (iii) the Department of Public Health or local
18        health department may require tests for additional
19        parameters under paragraphs (2) and (3).
20        (4) not release any human remains that exceed the
21    limits identified in Table A; and
22        (5) prepare, maintain, and provide upon request by the
23    Department of Public Health or local health department, an
24    annual report each calendar year. The annual report must
25    detail the natural organic reduction facility's activities
26    during the previous calendar year and must include the

 

 

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1    following information:
2            (i) name and address of the natural organic
3        reduction facility;
4            (ii) calendar year covered by the report;
5            (iii) annual quantity of composted remains;
6            (iv) results of any laboratory analyses of
7        composted remains; and
8            (v) any additional information required by the
9        Illinois Department of Public Health or the local
10        health department.
11Table A: Testing Parameters
12
13
Metals and other testing
14
parameters
Limit (mg/kg dry weight), unless otherwise specified
15Fecal coliform
16<1,000 Most probable number per gram of total solids (dry weight)
17Salmonella
18<3 Most probable number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight)
19Arsenic= 20 ppm
20Cadmium= 10 ppm
21Lead= 150 ppm
22Mercury= 8 ppm
23Selenium= 18 ppm
24    (l) Upon the completion of each natural organic reduction,

 

 

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1and insofar as is practicable, all of the recoverable residue
2of the reduction process shall be removed from the reduction
3chamber.
4    (m) If all of the recovered reduced human remains will not
5fit within the receptacle that has been selected, the
6remainder of the reduced human remains shall be disposed of in
7accordance with subsection (i) of Section 55.
8    (n) A disposition authority shall not knowingly represent
9to an authorizing agent or the agent's designee that a
10temporary container or urn contains the reduced remains of a
11specific decedent when it does not.
12    (o) Reduced human remains shall be shipped only by a
13method that has an internal tracing system available and that
14provides a receipt signed by the person accepting delivery.
15    (p) A disposition authority shall maintain an
16identification system that shall ensure that it shall be able
17to identify the human remains in its possession throughout all
18phases of the natural organic reduction process.
19    (q) A disposition authority shall not reduce via natural
20organic reduction the remains of those deemed ineligible in
21accordance with the list maintained by the Department of
22Public Health.
 
23    Section 75. Disposition of reduced human remains.
24    (a) The authorizing agent shall be responsible for the
25final disposition of the reduced human remains may be disposed

 

 

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1of by placing them in a grave, crypt, or niche or by scattering
2them in a scattering area as defined in this Act.
3    (b) Reduced human remains may be integrated into the soil
4in an area where no local prohibition exists, provided that
5the reduced human remains are not distinguishable to the
6public, are not in a container, and that the person who has
7control over disposition of the reduced human remains has
8obtained written permission of the property owner or governing
9agency to integrate into soil on the property.
10    (c) A State or local agency may adopt an ordinance,
11regulation, or policy, as appropriate, authorizing or
12specifically prohibiting the integration of reduced human
13remains into the soil on lands under the agency's
14jurisdiction. The integration into the soil of the reduced
15human remains of more than one person in one location pursuant
16to this section does not create a cemetery.
17    (d) Upon the completion of the natural organic reduction
18process, and except as provided for in subparagraph (I) of
19paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 55, if the
20disposition authority has not been instructed to arrange for
21the interment, entombment, inurnment, or scattering of the
22reduced human remains, the disposition authority shall deliver
23the reduced human remains to the individual specified on the
24natural organic reduction authorization form, or if no
25individual is specified then to the authorizing agent. The
26delivery may be made in person or by registered mail. Upon

 

 

HB3158- 33 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1receipt of the reduced human remains, the individual receiving
2them may transport them in any manner in this State without a
3permit and may dispose of them in accordance with this
4Section. After delivery, the disposition authority shall be
5discharged from any legal obligation or liability concerning
6the reduced human remains.
7    (e) If, after a period of 60 days from the date the natural
8organic reduction process is complete, the authorizing agent
9or the agent's designee has not instructed the disposition
10authority to arrange for the final disposition of the reduced
11human remains or claimed the reduced human remains, the
12disposition authority may dispose of the reduced human remains
13in any manner permitted by this Section. The disposition
14authority, however, shall keep a permanent record identifying
15the site of final disposition. The authorizing agent shall be
16responsible for reimbursing the disposition authority for all
17reasonable expenses incurred in disposing of the reduced human
18remains. Upon disposing of the reduced human remains, the
19disposition authority shall be discharged from any legal
20obligation or liability concerning the reduced remains. Any
21person who was in possession of reduced remains prior to the
22effective date of this Act may dispose of them in accordance
23with this Section.
24    (f) Except with the express written permission of the
25authorizing agent, no person shall:
26        (1) dispose of reduced human remains in a manner or in

 

 

HB3158- 34 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1    a location so that the reduced human remains are
2    commingled with those of another person. This prohibition
3    shall not apply to the scattering of reduced remains at
4    sea, by air or in an area located in a dedicated cemetery
5    or private property and used exclusively for those
6    purposes; or
7        (2) place reduced human remains of more than one
8    person in the same temporary container or urn.
9    (g) No person shall sell the soil resulting from reduced
10human remains for commercial purposes.
 
11    Section 80. Limitation of liability.
12    (a) A disposition authority that has received an executed
13natural organic reduction authorization form that complies
14with paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 55 and has
15received any additional documentation required by Section 55
16shall not be liable for reducing the human remains designated
17by the natural organic reduction authorization form if the
18natural organic reduction is performed in accordance with this
19Act.
20    (b) A disposition authority shall not be liable for
21refusing to accept human remains or to perform a natural
22organic reduction until it receives a court order or other
23suitable confirmation that a dispute has been settled, if:
24        (1) it is aware of any dispute concerning the natural
25    organic reduction of the human remains;

 

 

HB3158- 35 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1        (2) it has a reasonable basis for questioning any of
2    the representations made by the authorizing agent; or
3        (3) it refuses to accept the human remains for any
4    other lawful reason. This provision shall not be construed
5    as placing any affirmative obligation, not otherwise
6    required by law, on any disposition authority to accept
7    any human remains for natural organic reduction.
8    (c) No cemetery shall be liable for any reduced human
9remains that are dumped, scattered, or otherwise deposited on
10the cemetery in violation of this Act, if that action is taken
11without the cemetery's consent.
12    (d) If a disposition authority is aware of any dispute
13concerning the release or disposition of the reduced human
14remains, the disposition authority may refuse to release the
15reduced human remains until the dispute has been resolved or
16the disposition authority has been provided with a court order
17directing the release or disposition of the reduced remains. A
18disposition authority shall not be liable for refusing to
19release or dispose of reduced human remains in accordance with
20this Section.
21    (e) A disposition authority shall not be responsible or
22liable for any valuables delivered to the disposition
23authority with human remains, unless the disposition authority
24has received written instructions in accordance with paragraph
25(J) of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 55.
 

 

 

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1    Section 85. Hazardous implants. If an authorizing agent
2informs the funeral director and the disposition authority on
3the natural organic reduction authorization form of the
4presence of hazardous implants in the human remains, then the
5funeral director shall be responsible for ensuring that all
6necessary steps have been taken to remove the hazardous
7implants before delivering the human remains to the natural
8organic reduction facility for natural organic reduction. The
9funeral director who delivers the human remains to the natural
10organic reduction facility fails to ensure that the hazardous
11implants have been removed from the human remains prior to
12delivery, and should the human remains be reduced, then the
13funeral director who delivered the human remains to the
14natural organic reduction facility and anyone else covered by
15this Section shall be liable for all resulting damages.
 
16    Section 90. Penalties. Violations of this Act shall be
17punishable as follows:
18        (1) Performing a natural organic reduction without
19    receipt of a natural organic reduction authorization form
20    signed, in either paper or electronic format, by an
21    authorizing agent shall be a Class 4 felony.
22        (2) Signing, in either paper or electronic format, a
23    natural organic reduction authorization form with the
24    actual knowledge that the form contains false or incorrect
25    information shall be a Class 4 felony.

 

 

HB3158- 37 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1        (3) A violation of any natural organic reduction
2    procedure set forth in Section 70 shall be a Class 4
3    felony.
4        (4) Holding oneself out to the public as a disposition
5    authority, or the operation of a building or structure
6    within this State as a natural organic reduction facility,
7    without being licensed under this Act, shall be a Class A
8    misdemeanor.
9        (5) Performance of natural organic reduction service
10    by a person who has not completed a training program as
11    defined in Section 60 of this Act shall be a Class A
12    misdemeanor.
13        (6) Any person who intentionally violates a provision
14    of this Act or a final order of the Comptroller is liable
15    for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 per violation.
16        (7) Any person who knowingly acts without proper legal
17    authority and who willfully and knowingly destroys or
18    damages the remains of a deceased human being or who
19    desecrates human remains is guilty of a Class 3 felony.
20        (8) A violation of any other provision of this Act
21    shall be a Class B misdemeanor.
 
22    Section 95. Failure to file annual report. Whenever a
23disposition authority refuses or neglects to file its annual
24report in violation of Section 20 of this Act or fails to
25otherwise comply with the requirements of this Act, the

 

 

HB3158- 38 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1Comptroller shall impose a penalty as provided for by rule for
2each and every day the licensee remains delinquent in
3submitting the annual report. Such report shall be made under
4oath and shall be in a form determined by the Comptroller.
 
5    Section 100. Injunctive action; cease and desist order.
6    (a) If any person violates the provisions of this Act, the
7Comptroller, in the name of the People of the State, through
8the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of the county in
9which the violation is alleged to have occurred, may petition
10for an order enjoining the violation or for an order enforcing
11compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of a verified
12petition, the court with appropriate jurisdiction may issue a
13temporary restraining order, without notice or bond, and may
14preliminarily and permanently enjoin the violation. If it is
15established that the person has violated or is violating the
16injunction, the court may punish the offender for contempt of
17court. Proceedings under this Section are in addition to, and
18not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided by
19this Act.
20    (b) Whenever, in the opinion of the Comptroller, a person
21violates any provision of this Act, the Comptroller may issue
22a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should
23not be entered against that person. The rule shall clearly set
24forth the grounds relied upon by the Comptroller and shall
25allow at least 7 days from the date of the rule to file an

 

 

HB3158- 39 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1answer satisfactory to the Comptroller. Failure to answer to
2the satisfaction of the Comptroller shall cause an order to
3cease and desist to be issued.
 
4    Section 105. Service of notice. Service by the Comptroller
5of any notice requiring a person to file a statement or report
6under this Act shall be made: (1) personally by delivery of a
7duly executed copy of the notice to the person to be served or,
8if that person is not a natural person, in the manner provided
9in the Civil Practice Law when a complaint is filed; or (2) by
10mailing by certified mail a duly executed copy of the notice to
11the person at his or her address of record.
 
12    Section 110. Investigations; notice and hearing. The
13Comptroller may at any time investigate the actions of any
14applicant or of any person, persons, or entity rendering or
15offering natural organic reduction services or any person or
16entity holding or claiming to hold a license as a licensed
17natural organic reduction facility. The Comptroller shall,
18before revoking, suspending, placing on probation,
19reprimanding, or taking any other disciplinary action under
20Section 11 of this Act, at least 30 days before the date set
21for the hearing: (i) notify the accused in writing of the
22charges made and the time and place for the hearing on the
23charges; (ii) direct the accused applicant or licensee to file
24a written answer to the charges with the Comptroller under

 

 

HB3158- 40 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1oath within 20 days after the service on the accused of the
2notice; and (iii) inform the accused that, if the accused
3fails to answer, default will be taken against the accused or
4that the accused's license may be suspended, revoked, placed
5on probationary status, or other disciplinary action taken
6with regard to the license, including limiting the scope,
7nature, or extent of the accused's practice, as the
8Comptroller may consider proper.
9    At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Comptroller
10shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties, or their
11counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present any
12pertinent statements, testimony, evidence, and arguments. The
13Comptroller shall have the authority to appoint an attorney
14duly licensed to practice law in the State to serve as the
15hearing officer in any disciplinary action with regard to a
16license. The hearing officer shall have full authority to
17conduct the hearing. The Comptroller may continue the hearing
18from time to time. In case the person, after receiving the
19notice, fails to file an answer, the person's license may, in
20the discretion of the Comptroller, be suspended, revoked,
21placed on probationary status, or the Comptroller may take
22whatever disciplinary action considered proper, including
23limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice
24or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or
25acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for that action
26under this Act. The written notice may be served by personal

 

 

HB3158- 41 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1delivery or by certified mail to the address specified by the
2accused in the accused's last notification with the
3Comptroller.
 
4    Section 115. Compelling testimony. Any circuit court, upon
5application of the Comptroller or designated hearing officer
6may enter an order requiring the attendance of witnesses and
7their testimony, and the production of documents, papers,
8files, books, and records in connection with any hearing or
9investigation. The court may compel obedience to its order by
10proceedings for contempt.
 
11    Section 120. Administrative review; venue; certification
12of record; costs.
13    (a) All final administrative decisions of the Comptroller
14are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review
15Law and its rules. The term "administrative decision" is
16defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
17    (b) Proceedings for judicial review shall be commenced in
18the circuit court of the county in which the party applying for
19review resides, but if the party is not a resident of Illinois,
20the venue shall be in Sangamon County.
21    (c) The Comptroller shall not be required to certify any
22record of the court, file an answer in court, or to otherwise
23appear in any court in a judicial review proceeding unless and
24until the Comptroller has received from the plaintiff payment

 

 

HB3158- 42 -LRB103 29928 CPF 56343 b

1of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record, which
2costs shall be determined by the Comptroller. Failure on the
3part of the plaintiff to make such payment to the Comptroller
4is grounds for dismissal of the action.
 
5    Section 125. Preneed of natural organic reduction
6arrangements.
7    (a) Any person, or anyone who has legal authority to act on
8behalf of a person, on a preneed basis, may authorize the
9person's own natural organic reduction and the final
10disposition of the person's reduced remains by executing, as
11the authorizing agent, a natural organic reduction
12authorization form on a preneed basis. A copy of this form
13shall be provided to the person. Any person shall have the
14right to transfer or cancel this authorization at any time
15prior to death by destroying the executed natural organic
16reduction authorization form and providing written notice to
17the disposition authority named in the preneed form.
18    (b) Any natural organic authorization form that is being
19executed by an individual as the individual's own authorizing
20agent on a preneed basis shall contain the following
21disclosure, which shall be completed by the authorizing agent:
22    "( ) I do not wish to allow any of my survivors the option
23of cancelling my natural organic reduction and selecting
24alternative arrangements, regardless of whether my survivors
25deem a change to be appropriate.

 

 

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1    ( ) I wish to allow only the survivors whom I have
2designated below the option of cancelling my natural organic
3reduction and selecting alternative arrangements, if they deem
4a change to be appropriate."
5    (c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section,
6at the time of the death of a person who has executed, as the
7authorizing agent, a natural organic reduction authorization
8form on a preneed basis, any person in possession of an
9executed form and any person charged with making arrangements
10for the final disposition of the decedent who has knowledge of
11the existence of an executed form, shall use the person's best
12efforts to ensure that the decedent is reduced and that the
13final disposition of the reduced human remains is in
14accordance with the instructions contained on the natural
15organic reduction authorization form. If a disposition
16authority (i) is in possession of a completed a natural
17organic reduction authorization form that was executed on a
18preneed basis, (ii) is in possession of the designated human
19remains, and (iii) has received payment for the natural
20organic reduction of the human remains and the final
21disposition of the reduced human remains or is otherwise
22assured of payment, then the disposition authority shall be
23required to reduced the human remains and dispose of the
24reduced human remains according to the instructions contained
25on the natural organic reduction authorization form and may do
26so without any liability.

 

 

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1    (d) Any preneed contract sold by, or pre-need arrangements
2made with, a cemetery, funeral establishment, disposition
3authority, or any other party that includes a natural organic
4reduction shall specify the final disposition of the reduced
5human remains, in accordance with Section 75. If no different
6or inconsistent instructions are provided to the disposition
7authority by the authorizing agent at the time of death, the
8disposition authority shall be authorized to release or
9dispose of the reduced human remains as indicated in the
10preneed agreement. Upon compliance with the terms of the
11preneed agreement, the disposition authority shall be
12discharged from any legal obligation concerning the reduced
13human remains. The preneed agreement shall be kept as a
14permanent record by the disposition authority.
15    (e) This Section shall not apply to any natural organic
16reduction authorization form or preneed contract executed
17prior to the effective date of this Act. Any cemetery, funeral
18establishment, disposition authority, or other party, however,
19with the written approval of the authorizing agent or person
20who executed the preneed contract, may designate that the
21natural organic reduction authorization form or preneed
22contract shall be subject to this Act.
 
23    Section 130. Employment of funeral director by a
24disposition authority.
25    (a) A disposition authority shall be permitted to enter

 

 

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1into a contract with a funeral director or funeral business
2for the purpose of arranging natural organic reduction on an
3at-need basis with the general public, transporting human
4remains to the natural organic reduction facility, and
5processing all necessary paperwork.
6    (b) No aspect of this Act shall be construed to require a
7licensed funeral director to perform any functions not
8otherwise required by law to be performed by a licensed
9funeral director.
 
10    Section 135. Scope of Act. This Act shall be construed and
11interpreted as a comprehensive natural organic reduction
12statute, and the provisions of this Act shall take precedence
13over any existing laws containing provisions applicable to
14natural organic reduction, but that do not specifically or
15comprehensively address natural organic reduction.
 
16    Section 140. Record of proceedings; transcript. The
17Comptroller, at its expense, shall preserve a record of all
18proceedings at the formal hearing of any case. Any notice of
19hearing, complaint, all other documents in the nature of
20pleadings, written motions filed in the proceedings, the
21transcripts of testimony, the report of the hearing officer,
22and orders of the Comptroller shall be in the record of the
23proceeding. The Comptroller shall furnish a transcript of such
24record to any person interested in such hearing upon payment

 

 

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1of a reasonable fee.
 
2    Section 145. Subpoenas; depositions; oaths. The
3Comptroller has the power to subpoena documents, books,
4records or other materials and to bring before it any person
5and to take testimony either orally or by deposition, or both,
6with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as
7prescribed in civil cases in the courts of this State. The
8Comptroller, the designated hearing officer, or any qualified
9person the Comptroller may designate has the power to
10administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing that the
11Comptroller is authorized to conduct, and any other oaths
12authorized in any Act administered by the Comptroller. Every
13person having taken an oath or affirmation in any proceeding
14or matter wherein an oath is required by this Act, who shall
15swear willfully, corruptly and falsely in a matter material to
16the issue or point in question, or shall suborn any other
17person to swear as aforesaid, shall be guilty of perjury or
18subornation of perjury, as the case may be and shall be
19punished as provided by State law relative to perjury and
20subornation of perjury.
 
21    Section 150. Findings and recommendations. At the
22conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall present
23to the Comptroller a written report of its findings of fact,
24conclusions of law, and recommendations. The report shall

 

 

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1contain a finding whether or not the accused person violated
2this Act or its rules or failed to comply with the conditions
3required in this Act or its rules. The hearing officer shall
4specify the nature of any violations or failure to comply and
5shall make recommendations to the Comptroller. In making
6recommendations for any disciplinary actions, the hearing
7officer may take into consideration all facts and
8circumstances bearing upon the reasonableness of the conduct
9of the accused and the potential for future harm to the public,
10including but not limited to, previous discipline of the
11accused by the Comptroller, intent, degree of harm to the
12public and likelihood of harm in the future, any restitution
13made by the accused, and whether the incident or incidents
14contained in the complaint appear to be isolated or represent
15a continuing pattern of conduct. In making its recommendations
16for discipline, the hearing officer shall endeavor to ensure
17that the severity of the discipline recommended is reasonably
18related to the severity of the violation. The report of
19findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of
20the hearing officer shall be the basis for the Comptroller's
21order refusing to issue, restore, place on probation, fine,
22suspend, revoke a license, or otherwise disciplining a
23licensee. If the Comptroller disagrees with the
24recommendations of the hearing officer, the Comptroller may
25issue an order in contravention of the hearing officer's
26recommendations. The finding is not admissible in evidence

 

 

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1against the person in a criminal prosecution brought for a
2violation of this Act, but the hearing and finding are not a
3bar to a criminal prosecution brought for a violation of this
4Act.
 
5    Section 155. Rehearing. At the conclusion of the hearing,
6a copy of the hearing officer's report shall be served upon the
7applicant or licensee by the Comptroller, either personally or
8as provided in this Act. Within 20 days after service, the
9applicant or licensee may present to the Comptroller a motion
10in writing for a rehearing, which shall specify the particular
11grounds for rehearing. The Comptroller may respond to the
12motion for rehearing within 20 days after its service on the
13Comptroller. If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon
14the expiration of the time specified for filing such a motion,
15or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then upon denial, the
16Comptroller may enter an order in accordance with
17recommendations of the hearing officer except as provided in
18Section 160 of this Act.
19    If the applicant or licensee orders from the reporting
20service and pays for a transcript of the record within the time
21for filing a motion for rehearing, the 20-day period within
22which a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of
23the transcript to the applicant or licensee.
 
24    Section 160. Comptroller; rehearing. Whenever the

 

 

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1Comptroller believes that substantial justice has not been
2done in the revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue or
3restore a license or other discipline of an applicant or
4licensee, he or she may order a rehearing by the same or other
5hearing officers.
 
6    Section 165. Order or certified copy; prima facie proof.
7An order or certified copy thereof, over the seal of the
8Comptroller and purporting to be signed by the Comptroller, is
9prima facie proof that:
10        (1) the signature is the genuine signature of the
11    Comptroller;
12        (2) the Comptroller is duly appointed and qualified;
13    and
14        (3) the hearing officer is qualified to act.
 
15    Section 170. Civil action and civil penalties. In addition
16to the other penalties and remedies provided in this Act, the
17Comptroller may bring a civil action in the county of
18residence of the licensee or any other person to enjoin any
19violation or threatened violation of this Act. In addition to
20any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates
21this Act shall forfeit and pay a civil penalty to the
22Comptroller in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each
23violation as determined by the Comptroller. The civil penalty
24shall be assessed by the Comptroller in accordance with the

 

 

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1provisions of this Act.
2    Any civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after the
3effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The
4order shall constitute a judgment and may be filed and
5execution had thereon in the same manner as any judgment from
6any court of record. All moneys collected under this Section
7shall be deposited with the Comptroller.
 
8    Section 175. Consent order. At any point in any
9investigation or disciplinary proceedings as provided in this
10Act, both parties may agree to a negotiated consent order. The
11consent order shall be final upon signature of the
12Comptroller.
 
13    Section 180. Illinois Administrative Procedure Act;
14application. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is
15expressly adopted and incorporated in this Act as if all of the
16provisions of that Act were included in this Act, except that
17the provision of paragraph (d) of Section 10-65 of the
18Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, which provides that at
19hearings the licensee has the right to show compliance with
20all lawful requirements for retention or continuation of the
21license, is specifically excluded. For the purpose of this
22Act, the notice required under Section 10-25 of the Illinois
23Administrative Procedure Act is considered sufficient when
24mailed to the address of record.
 

 

 

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1    Section 185. Summary suspension of a license. The
2Comptroller may summarily suspend a license of a licensed
3natural organic reduction facility without a hearing,
4simultaneously with the institution of proceedings for a
5hearing provided for in this Act, if the Comptroller finds
6that evidence in the Comptroller's possession indicates that
7the licensee's continued practice would constitute an imminent
8danger to the public. If the Comptroller summarily suspends
9the license of a licensed natural organic reduction facility
10without a hearing, a hearing must be commenced within 30 days
11after the suspension has occurred and concluded as
12expeditiously as practical. In the event of a summary
13suspension, the county coroner or medical examiner responsible
14for the area where the natural organic reduction facility is
15located shall make arrangements to dispose of any bodies in
16the suspended licensee's possession after consulting with the
17authorizing agents for those bodies.
 
18    Section 190. Home rule. The regulation of natural organic
19reduction facilities and disposition authorities as set forth
20in this Act is an exclusive power and function of the State. A
21home rule unit may not regulate natural organic reduction
22facilities or disposition authorities. This Section is a
23denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under
24subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois

 

 

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1Constitution.