STAND. COM. REP. NO. 9909

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1602

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1602, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN REMAINS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Include the use of natural organic reduction as a method for the disposal of human remains; and

(2) Clarify the procedures associated with the disposition of a decedent's remains to include natural organic reduction facilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association, Inc.

Your Committee finds that there are alternative methods for arranging for the final disposition of dead human bodies other than burial or cremation. These new alternatives are promoted as environmentally friendly methods intended to decompose dead human bodies without the use of chemicals or pollutive effects related to traditional burials or cremation. There are, however, concerns with the regulation associated with these new alternatives, which necessitates further investigation and discovery with various stakeholders.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making conforming amendments to include natural organic reduction services under procedures associated with the disposition of a decedent's remains;

(2) Inserting language that establishes a working group to explore natural organic reduction as a means of disposal of human remains; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1602, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1602, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair