Mortuary Science 
Request for Comments

Disposition of the Dead, Natural Organic Reduction, and Transfer Care Specialist Rulemaking

Revisor's ID: #4882

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is proposing a rulemaking project to create new rules under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4610, Disposition of the Dead, including creating possible rules around transfer care specialists and natural organic reduction. Minnesota state agencies adopt and update state rules needed to help administer laws they enforce.

MDH proposes minor updates to the following rules:

• Establishing any rules needed to address registration or training of transfer care specialists.
• Establishing any rules needed to address natural organic reduction.
• Potentially adding rules around crematories and/or body preparation rooms, to establish sanitary or other standards, consistent with industry norms.
• Potentially add technical rules needed to enforce Minnesota Statutes, chapter 149A.

Once a rule is adopted, it has the force and effect of law, so it is critical that those who are potentially affected by the rule change have a voice in the process. The rulemaking process offers several opportunities for affected parties and the public to offer comments or concerns on rules. To be notified of rulemaking activities and opportunities to provide comments, sign up for our rulemaking email list: Health Regulation Rulemaking Email Updates.

All proposed rule languages, supporting documents, public meetings, and public comment opportunities will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Goals

This rulemaking process proposes adopting new rules in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4610 to:

• Add any rules needed to address registration or training of transfer care specialists.
• Add any rules needed to address natural organic reduction.
• Add any rules around crematories and/or body preparation rooms, to establish sanitary or other standards, consistent with industry norms.
• Potentially add technical rules needed to enforce Minnesota Statutes, chapter 149A.

Please contact Celeste Marin (celeste.marin@state.mn.us, 651-201-4849) with any questions or feedback about this rulemaking project.

Proposed Timeline

• August 26, 2024 — Request for comments published in the State Register.
• Fall 2024/Winter 2025 — Drafting of rule language and Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR).
• 2025 — Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules published in the State Register.
• To be determined — adoption of rules.

Request for Comments

The official Request for Comments was published in the Minnesota State Register and is also available here: Disposition of the Dead Request for Comment (PDF).
Interested persons may submit comments via the following form: Office of Administration Hearings - Comment on Proposed Rules.