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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the cremation of human remains by alkaline hydrolysis. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 711.001(7) and (8), Health and Safety |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(7) "Cremation" means the irreversible process of |
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reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone |
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fragments, through extreme heat and evaporation or through alkaline |
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hydrolysis. The process[, which] may include the processing or the |
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pulverization of bone fragments. |
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(8) "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace |
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or alkaline hydrolysis vessel used or intended to be used for the |
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cremation of human remains. The term includes a facility that |
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cremates human remains through alkaline hydrolysis. |
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SECTION 2. Section 716.001(5), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(5) "Cremation" means the irreversible process of |
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reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone |
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fragments, through direct flame, extreme heat, and evaporation or |
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through alkaline hydrolysis. The term may include pulverization, |
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which is the process of reducing identifiable bone fragments after |
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cremation and processing granulated particles by manual or |
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mechanical means. |
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SECTION 3. Section 716.002, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 716.002. CREMATION RULES. (a) The commission may |
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adopt rules consistent with this chapter and Chapter 651, |
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Occupations Code, to govern the cremation of human remains. |
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(b) Notwithstanding this chapter and Chapter 651, |
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Occupations Code, the commission may modify cremation procedures |
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and requirements under Subchapter D to the extent necessary to |
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allow cremation through alkaline hydrolysis. |
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SECTION 4. Section 651.001(3), Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(3) "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace |
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or alkaline hydrolysis vessel used or intended to be used for the |
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cremation of human remains. The term includes a facility that |
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cremates human remains through alkaline hydrolysis. |
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SECTION 5. Section 651.651(1), Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(1) "Cremation" means the irreversible process of |
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reducing human remains to essential elements, including bone |
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fragments, through direct flame, extreme heat, and evaporation or |
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through alkaline hydrolysis. The term may include pulverization, |
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which is the process of reducing identifiable bone fragments after |
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cremation and processing granulated particles by manual or |
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mechanical means. |
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SECTION 6. Not later than December 1, 2017, the Texas |
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Funeral Service Commission shall adopt rules to implement the |
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changes in law made by this Act. |
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SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |