Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7070: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS (Provides for the
Status: In committee, June 9, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS (Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 14, 2026:
2026 -- H 7070 ======== LC003543 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Kislak, McNamara, Tanzi, Speakman, Boylan, Stewart, and Cotter Date Introduced: January 14, 2026 Referred To: House Corporations It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Sections 5-33.2-1, 5-33.2-13, 5-33.2-13.1, 5-33.2-13.2, 5-33.2-15, 5-33.2-17 and 5-33.2-24 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-33.2 entitled "Funeral Director/Embalmer and Funeral Service Establishments" are hereby amended to read as follows: 5-33.2-1. Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) "Alkaline hydrolysis" or "hydrolysis" means the reduction of human remains to bone fragments and essential elements in a licensed hydrolysis facility using heat, pressure, water, and base chemical agents. (2) "Alkaline hydrolysis facility" means a structure, room or other space in a building or real property where alkaline hydrolysis of a human body occurs. (1)(3) "Board" means the state board of funeral directors/embalmers. (2)(4) "Cremation" means a two-part (2) procedure where a dead human body or body parts are reduced by direct flames to residue that includes bone fragments and the pulverization of the bone fragments to a coarse powdery consistency. (3)(5) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of health. (6) "Disposition facility" means a building or structure …
Sponsors
- McGaw, Michelle (D, HD-071) · primary sponsor
- Edith Ajello (D, HD-001)
- Ann Shallcross Smith, Mary (D, HD-046)
- Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)
- McNamara, Joseph (D, HD-019)
- Teresa Tanzi (D, HD-034)
- June Speakman (D, HD-068)
- Jennifer Boylan (D, HD-066)
- Jennifer Stewart (D, HD-059)
- Megan Cotter (D, HD-039)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Senate Judiciary
- : House read and passed
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Corporations
Votes
- House Seq #217: PASSAGE (May 28, 2026): 46 yea, 17 nay, passed
- House Committee on Corporations: Passage (May 21, 2026): 9 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS
Common questions
- What is H7070?
- H7070 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS (Provides for the .
- What does H7070 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER AND FUNERAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS (Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.)
- What is the status of H7070?
- In committee as of June 9, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Senate Judiciary (June 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7070?
- McGaw, Michelle (D, HD-071), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7070?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7070.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.