Bill Text: IL HB4982 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Burial of Dead Bodies Act. Provides that, until July 1, 2026, a green burial shall not be performed in this State unless the green burial is performed in a cemetery that permits green burials and at which green burials are permitted by all applicable ordinances and regulations. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall study the environmental and health impacts of green burials and natural organic reduction and develop recommendations for the performance of green burials and natural organic reduction to prevent environmental harm, including contamination of groundwater and surface water, and to protect the health of workers performing green burials and natural organic reduction, mourners, and the public. Details topics that the study may address. Requires the Director of Public Health to submit the study and recommendations, including any statutory changes needed to implement the recommendations, to the General Assembly by February 1, 2026. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2024.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-04-05 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB4982 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB4982-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB4982 Introduced , by Rep. Tim Ozinga SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
410 ILCS 5/3 new
Amends the Burial of Dead Bodies Act. Provides that, until July 1, 2026, a green burial shall not be performed in this State unless the green burial is performed in a cemetery that permits green burials and at which green burials are permitted by all applicable ordinances and regulations. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall study the environmental and health impacts of green burials and natural organic reduction and develop recommendations for the performance of green burials and natural organic reduction to prevent environmental harm, including contamination of groundwater and surface water, and to protect the health of workers performing green burials and natural organic reduction, mourners, and the public. Details topics that the study may address. Requires the Director of Public Health to submit the study and recommendations, including any statutory changes needed to implement the recommendations, to the General Assembly by February 1, 2026. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2024.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning health.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Burial of Dead Bodies Act is amended by
adding Section 3 as follows:
(410 ILCS 5/3 new)
Sec. 3. Green burials.
(a) As used in this Section, "green burial" means the
burial of a dead human body in a manner that minimizes
environmental impact and that allows for the decomposition of
the body using, at a minimum, the following procedures:
(1) the human body is not embalmed before burial or is
embalmed only with nontoxic chemicals;
(2) a biodegradable casket or shroud is used for
burial; and
(3) the casket or shroud holding the human body is not
placed in an outer burial container when buried.
(b) Until July 1, 2026, a green burial shall not be
performed in this State unless the green burial is performed
in a cemetery that permits green burials and at which green
burials are permitted by all applicable ordinances and
regulations.
(c) The Director of Public Health shall study the

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environmental and health impacts of green burials and natural
organic reduction and develop recommendations for the
performance of green burials and natural organic reduction to
prevent environmental harm, including contamination of
groundwater and surface water, and to protect the health of
workers performing green burials and natural organic
reduction, mourners, and the public. The study and
recommendations may address topics that include:
(1) the siting of locations where green burials are
permitted;
(2) the minimum distance a green burial location must
have from groundwater, surface water, and drinking water;
(3) the minimum depth at which a body buried via green
burial must be buried, the minimum soil depth below the
body, and the minimum soil depth covering the body;
(4) the maximum density of green burial interments in
a green burial location;
(5) the procedures used by individuals who come in
direct contact with a body awaiting green burial to
minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission from
the body;
(6) the methods to temporarily inhibit decomposition
of an unembalmed body awaiting green burial;
(7) the time period within which an unembalmed body
awaiting green burial must be buried or held in a manner
that delays decomposition; and

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(8) the use of natural organic reduction for the
disposition of a human body.
(d) The Director of Public Health shall submit the study
and recommendations, including any statutory changes needed to
implement the recommendations, to the General Assembly by
February 1, 2026.