Bill
S 3007
Authorizes natural organic reduction (human composting) as a legal disposition option in New Jersey, with registered NOR facilities, licensed supervision, and state oversight.
Title: Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state health and mental hygiene budget for the 2025–2026 state fiscal year — establishes regulation of natural organic reduction (human composting) and related changes to mortuary law
Status and key dates
- Introduced (Senate): March 18, 2024 (referred to Senate Commerce Committee).
- Amended and reported by Senate committees: June 12 and June 26, 2025.
- Passed both houses: May 7, 2025 (substituted by/identical to Assembly A4085).
- Delivered to Governor: May 8, 2025.
- Signed into law: May 9, 2025 — Enacted as P.L.2025, c.57 (Chapter 57).
Purpose / intent
- To authorize, define, and regulate the practice of natural organic reduction (NOR) — also described in the bill as “controlled supervised decomposition” — as an authorized method for disposition of human remains in New Jersey, and to incorporate NOR into existing mortuary law.
Major provisions
- Definitions added/updated in P.L.1952, c.340 (the mortuary science statute):
- “Natural organic reduction” / “controlled supervised decomposition”: contained, accelerated conversion of human remains into a soil‑like product.
- “Natural organic reduction facility”: a secure structure, room, or other space (within a registered mortuary or on registered mortuary property) devoted to NOR.
- Regulatory authority:
- The State Board of Mortuary Science is expressly authorized to adopt rules establishing minimum standards for NOR facilities, maintenance, and the NOR process.
- The bill also authorizes the New Jersey Cemetery Board and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules related to the placement of NOR remains and environmental protections (as reflected in later committee reprints).
- Registration and licensing:
- Every individual, partnership, or corporation that operates or maintains a mortuary or NOR facility must obtain an annual certificate of registration from the Board. The statutory text specifies an annual registration fee of $25 per facility (the Office of Legislative Services produced multiple fiscal estimates with differing fee references; see Fiscal impact).
- A person may not operate an NOR facility unless: (1) the facility is registered and (where required) inspected/approved by DEP before opening; (2) the certificate of registration and the operator’s license are conspicuously displayed; (3) the facility and NOR process are under the immediate supervision of a person duly licensed as a practitioner of mortuary science or as a funeral director; and (4) construction, maintenance, and operation conform to Board and DEP rules (including setback/distance requirements from drinking water wells).
- Cemeteries and disposition:
- The New Jersey Cemetery Board must maintain a list of cemeteries willing and compliant to receive remains after NOR and notify the State Board of Mortuary Science of interested cemeteries.
- Funeral directors are required to inform customers in writing that cemetery placement is an option for NOR remains.
- Enforcement and oversight:
- DEP is required to inspect and approve NOR facilities prior to opening for compliance with environmental safeguards (e.g., setbacks from drinking water wells).
- The boards will have oversight, inspection, and enforcement authority under their regulatory powers.
Who is affected
- Mortuary establishments, funeral directors, licensed practitioners of mortuary science, and any new or existing facilities that choose to provide NOR services.
- New or expanded regulatory responsibilities for the State Board of Mortuary Science, New Jersey Cemetery Board, and DEP.
- Consumers and families choosing disposition options (NOR becomes an authorized option; funeral directors must provide written notice about cemetery placement option).
Fiscal impact (per Office of Legislative Services)
- OLS projects an initial workload increase and potential ongoing oversight/enforcement costs for the State Board of Mortuary Science, New Jersey Cemetery Board, and DEP (inspections). These costs are indeterminate.
- Annual State revenue increase is indeterminate. The bill text specifies an annual registration fee (the text shows $25 per facility), but OLS notes uncertainty in how many facilities will register. (Two OLS estimates circulated during the bill’s progress referenced differing fee figures in drafts; the enacted language should be consulted for the authoritative fee.)
Other notes
- The bill was considered under urgency messaging in May 2025 and was substituted for/identical to Assembly bill A4085 (3R/A4085 (2R)).
- Implementing rules and timelines depend on each board/agency promulgating regulations authorized by the statute; DEP inspection/approval is required before a facility opens.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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