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MarylandHB 06772026 Regular SessionHouse

Reduction Facilities and Veterans Service Organizations - Hydrolyzed and Soil Remains - Immunity

Sponsored By: LaToya Nkongolo (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Civil Actions and ProceduresCourts and Court Personnel - StatewideBusiness RegulationHealth OccupationsCivic OrganizationsCremationDependents -see also- Minors; Vulnerable AdultsLiabilityMorticiansTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etcVeterans

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Immunity for funeral homes and veterans groups

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, licensed funeral homes, registered reduction operators, and crematories are protected from civil lawsuits when they act in good faith to transfer unclaimed veteran remains to a veterans service organization for disposition. The protection covers cremains, hydrolyzed remains, and soil remains of a veteran or an eligible dependent. Veterans service organizations are also protected when they act in good faith to receive these unclaimed remains for disposition. The shield applies only to unclaimed remains and only for transfers and receipts made for the disposition process allowed by state law.

New definitions for reduction operators

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, state law defines two key terms. "Natural organic reduction" means turning human remains into soil in a contained, accelerated process. A "registered reduction operator" is a person registered to run a reduction facility, as a sole proprietor or for a permit holder. These definitions clarify who counts as an operator under state rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • LaToya Nkongolo

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Steven J. Arentz

    Republican • House

  • Mike Griffith

    Republican • House

  • Darrell Odom

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Rogers

    Democratic • House

  • Stuart Michael Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Gary Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 173 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 128 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 692

    5/26/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (45-0)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/9/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Third Reading Passed (128-0)

    3/4/2026House

  8. Second Reading Passed

    3/3/2026House

  9. Favorable Adopted

    3/3/2026House

  10. Favorable Report by Health

    3/3/2026House

  11. Hearing 2/18 at 1:30 p.m.

    2/5/2026House

  12. Hearing canceled

    2/5/2026House

  13. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2026House

  14. First Reading Health

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/3/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/2/2026

    PDF

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