A 4085 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains.

This bill legalizes "natural organic reduction" (also called "controlled supervised decomposition") in New Jersey, which converts human remains into soil-like material. It creates a regulatory framework requiring facilities to register with the State Board of Mortuary Science, be supervised by licensed mortuary professionals, and meet specific construction and operation standards. The bill amends existing mortuary science laws to include this new process, with the State Board authorized to develop regulations and inspect facilities. This provides a new option for final disposition of human remains, alongside traditional burial and cremation. The legislation establishes clear requirements for facilities offering this service while maintaining oversight by licensed professionals.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2024
Committee Review
Jun 2025
General Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Sep 2025
Introduced Mar 18, 2024 Signed Sep 11, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Jun 30, 2025 · General Assembly Dec 19, 2024

How they voted

372
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Jun 30, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican15
12 Yea 2 Nay 1
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
7
Committee
6
Sep 11, 2025
Signed into law
Approved P.L.2025, c.143.
executive
Jun 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (79-1-0)
lower
Jun 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (37-2)
upper
Jun 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Jun 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Jun 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
upper
Dec 19, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (71-1-1)
lower
Oct 24, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
May 16, 2024
Committee
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
lower
5 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors