Delaware House Bill 162
Session 152
An Act To Amend Titles 9, 12, 16, 24, And 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Human Remains.
Active
Passed Senate on Mar 21, 2024
Sponsors
14 Sponsors
Sean M. Lynn
Laura V. Sturgeon
Eric Morrison
Cyndie Romer
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Sean Matthews
Peter C. Schwartzkopf
Marie Pinkney
Bryan Townsend
Paul S. Baumbach
Sarah McBride
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Kendra Johnson
Trey Paradee
First Action
Jun 22, 2023
Latest Action
Mar 21, 2024
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
162
State
Delaware
Session
152
Bryan Townsend
grade
Primary
Cyndie Romer
grade
Primary
Eric Morrison
grade
Primary
Kendra Johnson
grade
Primary
Kerri Evelyn Harris
grade
Primary
Laura V. Sturgeon
grade
Primary
Marie Pinkney
grade
Primary
Paul S. Baumbach
grade
Primary
Primary
S. Elizabeth Lockman
grade
Primary
Sarah McBride
grade
Primary
Sean M. Lynn
grade
Primary
Sean Matthews
grade
Primary
Trey Paradee
grade
Primary
checkPassed on January 23, 2024
Motion Text
SM
House Roll Call Votes
Cyndie Romer
Yes
DeShanna U Neal
Yes
Jeff Hilovsky
Yes
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Yes
Yes
Sophie Phillips
Other
Stell Parker Selby
Other
Stephanie T. Bolden
Yes
Valerie Jones Giltner
Yes
Yes
Summary
House Bill 162 authorizes the process of natural organic reduction to be used in this State. Natural organic reduction is the gentle, respectful process that accelerates the decomposition of human remains to soil. This process uses large vessels to hold human remains together with straw, wood chips, or other natural materials for about 30 days. The human remains and organic materials, mixed together with warm air, are periodically turned and the process eventually results in reduction of the human remains to a soil material that can then be provided to the deceased individual's family. Natural organic reduction is considered a more eco-friendly cremation alternative, forgoing the usage of formaldehyde and the release of carbon dioxide and mercury into the atmosphere. The process also uses 1/8 the energy of cremation.
Section 3 removes "and by the Attorney General or a deputy attorney general" from § 3163 of Title 16, which was overlooked when Chapter 164 of Volume 68 of the Laws of Delaware was enacted, removing similar language in § 3159 of Title 16. Section 12 of this Act replaces the citation to § 3162 of Title 16 with a citation to § 3159. Section 3162 was transferred to § 3159 when Chapter 31 was reenacted by Chapter 274 of Volume 68 of the Laws of Delaware, but this citation was overlooked.
This Act takes effect the earlier of 1 year from the date of the Act's enactment or notice in the Register of Regulations that final regulations to implement this Act have been adopted.
This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to expand the scope of an existing crime within the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, or Justice of the Peace Court.
This Substitute No. 1 to HB 162 adds requirements to those already set forth in HB 162 for natural organic reduction facilities and changes the permissible chemical limits for final remains after natural organic reduction. This Substitute also sets forth circumstances that preclude remains from being admitted to a natural organic reduction facility. This Substitute defines “final remains” and “last remains” identically in Title 12 of the Delaware Code to allow for the use of either phrase throughout that Title. This Substitute also makes typographical and technical corrections to conform existing and drafted law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Bill Text
03/21/2024
Senate
Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 7 NO
03/13/2024
Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 5 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
01/23/2024
Senate
Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
01/23/2024
House
Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 2 NO 1 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT
01/23/2024
House
Amendment HA 3 to HS 1 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
01/23/2024
House
Amendment HA 2 to HS 1 - Stricken in House
01/23/2024
House
Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Stricken in House
06/28/2023
House
Amendment HA 3 to HS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
06/27/2023
House
Amendment HA 2 to HS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
06/23/2023
House
Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
06/22/2023
House
was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 162
Sources
Open States
Record Created
May 16, 2023 6:32:47 PM
Record Updated
Mar 21, 2024 11:12:29 PM