Creating Natural Organic Reduction Act

West Virginia's SB 1054, the Natural Organic Reduction Act, authorizes a new method for final disposition of human remains called "natural organic reduction" (NOR), which uses controlled biological processes to transform remains into soil-like material. The bill directly affects NOR facilities and operators, who are exempt from funeral director licensing requirements but must comply with Department of Health regulations for sanitation, pathogen control, and safety. Key provisions establish the Department of Health as the sole regulator (replacing the Funeral Service Board), prohibit NOR operators from performing embalming or offering licensed funeral services, and set facility standards for containment, odor control, and soil handling. This creates a legally recognized alternative to burial, cremation, or embalming for residents seeking environmentally aligned end-of-life options.