Assembly Bill A7894B

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Permits the use of cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for certain decedents

download bill text pdf

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Assembly Committee

  • Introduced
    • In Committee Assembly
    • In Committee Senate
    • On Floor Calendar Assembly
    • On Floor Calendar Senate
    • Passed Assembly
    • Passed Senate
  • Delivered to Governor
  • Signed By Governor

Do you support this bill?

Please enter your contact information

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.
Actions

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2025-A7894 - Details

Current Committee:
Assembly Rules 7894c
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Amd §4201, Pub Health L

2025-A7894 - Summary

Permits a chief fiscal officer of a county or a public administrator, when having the right to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent and acting reasonably and in good faith, to, without civil liability, select cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for such decedent where the financial resources of such decedent are limited and such disposition is selected with the reasonable belief that the method is consistent with the religious practices of the decedent.

2025-A7894 - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7894
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              April 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on Health
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the public health law, in relation to the selection of
   the method of disposition of remains of a decedent by a  chief  fiscal
   officer of a county or a public administrator

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision  2  of  section  4201  of  the
 public  health  law,  as  amended  by chapter 76 of the laws of 2006, is
 amended to read as follows:
   (c) The person in control of disposition, pursuant  to  this  section,
 shall  faithfully carry out the directions of the decedent to the extent
 lawful and practicable, including consideration of the financial capaci-
 ty of the decedent's estate  and  other  resources  made  available  for
 disposition  of  the remains. The person in control of disposition shall
 also dispose of the decedent in a manner appropriate to  the  moral  and
 individual beliefs and wishes of the decedent provided that such beliefs
 and  wishes  do  not  conflict  with the directions of the decedent. The
 person in control of disposition may seek to recover any  costs  related
 to  the  disposition  from  the  fiduciary  of  the decedent's estate in
 accordance with section eighteen hundred eleven of the surrogate's court
 procedure act.   NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  PARAGRAPH,  A
 CHIEF  FISCAL OFFICER OF A COUNTY OR A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, WHEN HAVING
 THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THE DISPOSITION OF THE  REMAINS  OF  SUCH  DECEDENT
 PURSUANT  TO  THIS SECTION AND ACTING REASONABLY AND IN GOOD FAITH, MAY,
 WITHOUT CIVIL LIABILITY, SELECT CREMATION OR NATURAL  ORGANIC  REDUCTION
 AS  THE  METHOD  OF DISPOSITION FOR SUCH DECEDENT. SUCH SELECTION MAY BE
 WHERE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF SUCH  DECEDENT  ARE  LIMITED  AND  SUCH
 DISPOSITION  IS SELECTED WITHIN THE REASONABLE BELIEF THAT THE METHOD IS
 CONSISTENT WITH THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE DECEDENT, PROVIDED HOWEV-
 ER, THAT (I) NO PERSON HAVING HIGHER PRIORITY UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION HAS
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10813-01-5

co-Sponsors

2025-A7894A - Details

Current Committee:
Assembly Rules 7894c
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Amd §4201, Pub Health L

2025-A7894A - Summary

Permits a chief fiscal officer of a county or a public administrator, when having the right to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent and acting reasonably and in good faith, to, without civil liability, select cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for such decedent where the financial resources of such decedent are limited and such disposition is selected with the reasonable belief that the method is consistent with the religious practices of the decedent.

2025-A7894A - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7894--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              April 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. PAULIN, STECK -- read once and referred to the
   Committee on Health -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting the use
   of cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition
   for certain decedents
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision  2  of  section  4201  of  the
 public  health  law,  as  amended  by chapter 76 of the laws of 2006, is
 amended to read as follows:
   (c) The person in control of disposition, pursuant  to  this  section,
 shall  faithfully carry out the directions of the decedent to the extent
 lawful and practicable, including consideration of the financial capaci-
 ty of the decedent's estate  and  other  resources  made  available  for
 disposition  of  the remains. The person in control of disposition shall
 also dispose of the decedent in a manner appropriate to  the  moral  and
 individual beliefs and wishes of the decedent provided that such beliefs
 and  wishes  do  not  conflict  with the directions of the decedent. The
 person in control of disposition may seek to recover any  costs  related
 to  the  disposition  from  the  fiduciary  of  the decedent's estate in
 accordance with section eighteen hundred eleven of the surrogate's court
 procedure act. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH, A CHIEF
 FISCAL OFFICER OF A COUNTY OR A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR,  WHEN  HAVING  THE
 RIGHT  TO CONTROL THE  DISPOSITION  OF  THE  REMAINS  OF  SUCH  DECEDENT
 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ACTING REASONABLY AND IN GOOD  FAITH,  MAY,
 WITHOUT  CIVIL  LIABILITY, SELECT CREMATION OR NATURAL ORGANIC REDUCTION
 AS THE  METHOD  OF  DISPOSITION  FOR  A  DECEDENT  WHERE  THE  FINANCIAL
 RESOURCES  OF SUCH DECEDENT ARE LIMITED AND SUCH DISPOSITION IS SELECTED
 WITH THE REASONABLE BELIEF THAT THE METHOD IS CONSISTENT WITH THE  RELI-
 GIOUS  PRACTICES  OF  THE  DECEDENT, PROVIDED, THAT (I) NO PERSON HAVING
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10813-02-5

co-Sponsors

2025-A7894B - Details

Current Committee:
Assembly Rules 7894c
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Amd §4201, Pub Health L

2025-A7894B - Summary

Permits a chief fiscal officer of a county or a public administrator, when having the right to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent and acting reasonably and in good faith, to, without civil liability, select cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for such decedent where the financial resources of such decedent are limited and such disposition is selected with the reasonable belief that the method is consistent with the religious practices of the decedent.

2025-A7894B - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7894--B
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              April 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. PAULIN, STECK -- read once and referred to the
   Committee on Health -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
   reprinted  as  amended  and  recommitted  to  said  committee -- again
   reported from said committee with  amendments,  ordered  reprinted  as
   amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting the use
   of cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition
   for certain decedents
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision  2  of  section  4201  of  the
 public  health  law,  as  amended  by chapter 76 of the laws of 2006, is
 amended to read as follows:
   (c) The person in control of disposition, pursuant  to  this  section,
 shall  faithfully carry out the directions of the decedent to the extent
 lawful and practicable, including consideration of the financial capaci-
 ty of the decedent's estate  and  other  resources  made  available  for
 disposition  of  the remains. The person in control of disposition shall
 also dispose of the decedent in a manner appropriate to  the  moral  and
 individual beliefs and wishes of the decedent provided that such beliefs
 and  wishes  do  not  conflict  with the directions of the decedent. The
 person in control of disposition may seek to recover any  costs  related
 to  the  disposition  from  the  fiduciary  of  the decedent's estate in
 accordance with section eighteen hundred eleven of the surrogate's court
 procedure act. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH, A CHIEF
 FISCAL OFFICER OF A COUNTY OR A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR,  WHEN  HAVING  THE
 RIGHT  TO CONTROL THE  DISPOSITION  OF  THE  REMAINS  OF  SUCH  DECEDENT
 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ACTING REASONABLY AND IN GOOD  FAITH,  MAY,
 WITHOUT  CIVIL  LIABILITY, SELECT CREMATION OR NATURAL ORGANIC REDUCTION
 AS THE  METHOD  OF  DISPOSITION  FOR  A  DECEDENT  WHERE  THE  FINANCIAL
 RESOURCES  OF SUCH DECEDENT ARE LIMITED AND SUCH DISPOSITION IS SELECTED
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10813-03-5

co-Sponsors

2025-A7894C (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:
Assembly Rules 7894c
Law Section:
Public Health Law
Laws Affected:
Amd §4201, Pub Health L

2025-A7894C (ACTIVE) - Summary

Permits a chief fiscal officer of a county or a public administrator, when having the right to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent and acting reasonably and in good faith, to, without civil liability, select cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition for such decedent where the financial resources of such decedent are limited and such disposition is selected with the reasonable belief that the method is consistent with the religious practices of the decedent.

2025-A7894C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7894--C
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              April 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. PAULIN, STECK -- read once and referred to the
   Committee on Health -- committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
   reprinted  as  amended  and  recommitted  to  said  committee -- again
   reported from said committee with  amendments,  ordered  reprinted  as
   amended  and recommitted to said committee -- reported and referred to
   the Committee on Rules -- Rules Committee  discharged,  bill  amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to the Committee on Rules
 
 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to permitting the use
   of cremation or natural organic reduction as the method of disposition
   for certain decedents
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision  2  of  section  4201  of  the
 public  health  law,  as  amended  by chapter 76 of the laws of 2006, is
 amended and a new paragraph (c-1) is added to read as follows:
   (c) The person in control of disposition, pursuant  to  this  section,
 shall  faithfully carry out the directions of the decedent to the extent
 lawful and practicable, including consideration of the financial capaci-
 ty of the decedent's estate  and  other  resources  made  available  for
 disposition  of  the remains. The person in control of disposition shall
 also dispose of the decedent in a manner appropriate to  the  moral  and
 individual beliefs and wishes of the decedent provided that such beliefs
 and  wishes  do  not  conflict  with the directions of the decedent. The
 person in control of disposition may seek to recover any  costs  related
 to  the  disposition  from  the  fiduciary  of  the decedent's estate in
 accordance with section eighteen hundred eleven of the surrogate's court
 procedure act. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH, A CHIEF
 FISCAL OFFICER OF A COUNTY OR A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR,  WHEN  HAVING  THE
 RIGHT  TO CONTROL THE  DISPOSITION  OF  THE  REMAINS  OF  SUCH  DECEDENT
 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ACTING REASONABLY AND IN GOOD  FAITH,  MAY,
 WITHOUT  CIVIL  LIABILITY, SELECT CREMATION OR NATURAL ORGANIC REDUCTION
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10813-07-5

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.