Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB677: Reduction Facilities and Veterans Service Organizations - Hydrolyzed and Soil Remains - Immunity
Status: Signed into law, May 26, 2026
Providing that a registered reduction operator is not civilly liable for transferring and a veterans service organization is not civilly liable for receiving unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains of a veteran or an eligible dependent of a veteran for the purposes of disposition if acting in good faith.
What the bill says
An act concerning Reduction Facilities and Veterans Service Organizations - Hydrolyzed and Soil Remains - Immunity FOR the purpose of providing that a registered reduction operator is not civilly liable for transferring and a veterans service organization is not civilly liable for receiving unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains of a veteran or an eligible dependent of a veteran for the purposes of disposition if acting in good faith; and generally relating to reduction facilities, veterans service organizations, and the disposition of unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains…
From the enrolled text, June 3, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Reduction Facilities and Veterans Service Organizations - Hydrolyzed and Soil Remains - Immunity FOR the purpose of providing that a registered reduction operator is not civilly liable for transferring and a veterans service organization is not civilly liable for receiving unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains of a veteran or an eligible dependent of a veteran for the purposes of disposition if acting in good faith; and generally relating to reduction facilities, veterans service organizations, and the disposition of unclaimed hydrolyzed or soil remains. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Business Regulation Section 5-101(a), (q), and (z) Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings Section 5-642 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Business Regulation 5-101. (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (q) "Natural organic reduction" means the contained accelerated conversion of human remains into soil. (z) "Registered reduction operator" means an individual registered to operate a reduction facility as a sole proprietor or on behalf of a sole proprietor or a permit holder. Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings 5-642. Ch. …