Permits the use of cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for certain decedents
Summary
Permits a chief fiscal officer of a county or a public administrator, when having the right to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent and acting reasonably and in good faith, to, without civil liability, select cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for such decedent where the financial resources of such decedent are limited and such disposition is selected with the reasonable belief that the method is consistent with the religious practices of the decedent.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Apr 11, 2025
Last action Feb 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
A7894B
→
A7894C
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amendment adds a new provision allowing county chief fiscal officers and public administrators to select cremation or natural organic reduction for decedents with limited financial resources. The amendment also adds a requirement for a 45-day public notice period before proceeding with these disposition methods when selected by these officials.
Scope change
The bill now applies specifically to county chief fiscal officers and public administrators, creating a new category of decision-makers for selecting cremation or natural organic reduction for financially limited decedents.
ELIGIBILITY
Added eligibility criteria for county chief fiscal officers and public administrators to select cremation or natural organic reduction for decedents with limited financial resources.
REQUIREMENT
Added requirement for a 45-day public notice period before proceeding with cremation or natural organic reduction when selected by county officials or public administrators.
TIMELINE
Modified the timeline for disposition by allowing the 45-day notice period to run concurrently with the existing 90-day priority claim period.
DEFINITION
Added new paragraph (c-1) to Section 4201 of the public health law establishing the new procedure for county officials.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · Assembly Jan 27, 2026
How they voted
55–4
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 63
Feb 11, 2026
D
Democratic41
90% Yea
R
Republican22
81% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
5
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
lower
Jun 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO RULES 7894C
lower
May 27, 2025
Committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 7894B
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH
lower
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 7894A
lower
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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