SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4085

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 12, 2025

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4085 (2R).

      This bill allows for the natural organic reduction or controlled supervised decomposition of deceased individuals.  Provisions in current law addressing embalming and funeral directing are updated under the bill to incorporate the creation and regulation of natural organic reduction facilities and the oversight of the organic reduction process.  Specifically, this bill authorizes the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey (board) to adopt rules and regulations to establish minimum requirements for a natural organic reduction facility and the manner in which it is to be maintained, and minimum requirements for the process for conducting natural organic reduction.  The bill requires that a natural organic reduction facility receive a certificate of registration issued by the board.

      Under this bill, a person is prohibited from operating, maintaining, or using a natural organic reduction facility (facility) unless: (1) the individual, partnership, or corporation is annually registered with the board in accordance to the provisions of State law; (2) the certificate of registration issued by the board and the license of the natural organic reduction operator, both conspicuously displayed within the facility; (3) the facility and all natural organic reduction is under the immediate and personal supervision, direction, management, and control of a person duly licensed as a practitioner of mortuary science or duly licensed as a funeral director, or under any prior law of this State; and (4) the construction, maintenance, and operation of the facility conforms to the rules and regulations of the board promulgated to safeguard and promote public health, safety, morals, and welfare.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4085 (2R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 3007, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.