HB 5425 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

NATURAL ORG REDUCE REG-ACT

Summary
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, and costs; and preneed of natural organic reduction arrangements. Effective June 1, 2026.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 21, 2026 Last action May 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 17, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was updated from its original introduction to its final engrossed version, primarily involving the addition of new definitions for key terms like 'Human remains' and 'Natural organic reduction' to clarify the legal process. The text also includes minor formatting adjustments to the layout of existing definitions regarding funeral establishments. These changes ensure the legislation clearly defines the scope of the new Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act before it is enacted.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on regulating natural organic reduction facilities, but the engrossed version adds specific definitions to clarify what constitutes 'human remains' (including prosthetics) and the exact steps of the reduction process.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Human remains' to explicitly include body prostheses that are permanently attached or implanted.

Added a detailed definition for 'Natural organic reduction' that outlines the specific steps of mixing bodies with natural materials and using stainless steel vessels.

Added a new definition for 'Integrate into the soil' describing the process of mixing reduced remains with soil in a dedicated area with owner permission.

Reformatted the definition of 'Funeral establishment' to improve readability by breaking long sentences into separate lines.

TECHNICAL

Updated page headers and footers to reflect the bill's status as 'Engrossed' rather than 'Introduced'.

Floor votes · House Apr 17, 2026

How they voted

6236
Passed · 18 other
Total votes 116
Apr 17, 2026
D Democratic76
62 Yea 3 Nay 11
81% Yea
R Republican40
33 Nay 7
82% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
64
Key actions
5
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 21, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Standard Debate - Passed 064-036-000
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Energy & Environment Committee; 019-010-000
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Mary Beth Canty
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 018-009-000
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 30 co-sponsors

Sponsors