Announcement Detail


May 27 | HB20-1060 Natural Organic Reduction Human Remains

HB20-1060 Natural Organic Reduction Human Remains

 

HB 1060 was postponed indefinitely in the Senate State Affairs Committee on May 27, 2020. This bill is expected to be re-introduced in the 2021 legislative session.

If you would like to participate in discussion for this legislation, please enroll in CFDA's Legislative & Advocacy Committee.


CFDA is monitioring the status of a bill that was introduced in the Colorado General Assembly on January 8, 2020.

HB20-1060 Natural Organic Reduction Human Remains legalizes the conversion of human remains to basic elements within a container using an accelerated process. Proponents of the bill are led by Katrina Spade, Founder and CEO of Recompose.

In 2019, the State of Washington became the first state to legalize the process of "human composting" with SB 5001. The Washington law goes into effect on May 1, 2020.

https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/washington-is-1st-state-to-legalize-human-composting/281-96586023-fb60-4afa-bf8e-b4c435db65fe

The CFDA Board of Directors and Legislative Committee have expressed concerns about the bill:

  • The bill is premature to adopt the process of “natural reduction” when there are NO facilities in the United States currently performing this method of human final disposition.
  • There is insufficient research and evidence to satisfy concerns about health and safety of facilities, processes and remains.
  • Colorado law already lacks inspection of funeral establishments and crematories; this legislation does not address existing concerns and creates another loophole for unregulated people and businesses.
  • The funeral profession is not opposed to considering other methods of final disposition; the processes must be fully vetted and operate on a level playing field with other funeral-related businesses.
  • Why is there urgency to pass this legislation in Colorado now? Why not wait until 2022 when there are operations in the State of Washington to study?

 

Click here to read the bill and its status.