1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
2. (b) “Alkaline hydrolysis” has the meaning stated in § 5-101 of the Business Regulation Article.
3. (c) ”Authorizing agent” means the individual who has legal authority to arrange for and make decisions regarding the final disposition of a dead human body, including by cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction.
4. (d) ”Cremation” means the disposition of a dead human body by means of incineration.
5. (e) ”Crematory” has the meaning stated in § 5-101 of the Business Regulation Article.
6. (f) ”Decedent” means a dead human being.
7. (g) “Natural organic reduction” has the meaning stated in § 5-101 of the Business Regulation Article.
8. (h) ”Practitioner” means a person who is licensed by the State as a funeral director, mortician, or surviving spouse licensee to practice mortuary science.
9. (i) ”Pre-need contract” means an agreement prior to the time of death between a consumer and a practitioner to provide any goods and services regarding the final disposition of a dead human body.
10. (j) “Reduction facility” has the meaning stated in § 5-101 of the Business Regulation Article.
11. (k) “Soil remains” has the meaning stated in § 5-101 of the Business Regulation Article.

Added as Health-General § 5-502.1 by Acts 1994, c. 517, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1994. Renumbered as Health-General § 5-508 and amended by Acts 1995, c. 517, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2020, c. 450, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; Acts 2020, c. 451, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; Acts 2024, c. 106, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 599, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 600, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.