All Roll Calls
Yes: 632 • No: 0
KansasHB 23312025–2026 Regular SessionHouse
Creating the crime of aggravated criminal desecration and providing penalties therefor, authorizing the disposition of the unclaimed remains of deceased persons by district coroners and providing exemptions from liability for such actions, establishing requirements for programs of continuing education for licensed embalmers and funeral directors and authorizing the use of the word "crematory" as part of the business name for businesses owned by the same person who owns a licensed crematory.
Sponsored By: Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Signed by Governor
senate committee on federal and state affairshouse committee on federal and state affairs
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Crematory owners gain business naming options
A Kansas crematory license holder can use “crematory” in the name of another business they own. That other business must also be licensed under Kansas funeral-business licensing law.
Coroners handle unclaimed remains and costs
Coroners must follow the required delivery process when close family cannot or will not accept a person's remains. When delivery is not required, coroners must arrange cremation or burial. Costs come first from sufficient property found with the body, then applicable assistance; the county general fund is the fallback. The Department of Corrections pays for deaths in its secretary's custody, while veterans' payment rules apply to eligible veteran-related expenses. These payment rules do not create a new general duty for families to pay.
Felony penalties for hiding a death
The law defines aggravated criminal desecration as criminal desecration intended to hide a human death or a crime. It classifies the offense as a severity level 7, nonperson felony.
Coroners can discard low-value personal property
After investigating, a coroner may destroy or dispose of property found with a body that has little commercial value. The law sets no dollar cutoff for that decision. The coroner and county are not liable for actions taken under this authority.
Annual training rules for funeral professionals
Active licensed embalmers and funeral directors must complete at least six hours of approved training each year. At least three hours must be in person or live online, with attendance checks and a chance to ask questions. The remaining hours may use any online format, and licensees must provide proof when renewing. Inactive licensees are exempt, but must meet the requirements within their first full year after starting active practice. The board must establish program requirements as soon as possible after July 1, 2026.
Unclaimed ashes face transfer and repayment
Coroners may release ashes unclaimed for three years after death, or after a longer required preservation period. Family has 30 days to claim them after newspaper notice; otherwise, permanent placement is allowed. Veterans' ashes may instead go to Kansas veterans services, its designee, or a national cemetery, without charging those recipients cremation costs or fees. An authorized person who later claims released ashes must repay cremation costs and applicable coroner fees. The coroner's office is protected from disposition-related costs or damages, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 118 Nay: 0
Yes: 118 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 122 Nay: 0
Yes: 122 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 38 Nay: 0
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 38 Nay: 0
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 122 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
Conference Committee Report was adopted
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
Final Action - Passed as amended
Yes: 38 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
Final Action - Passed
Yes: 118 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on Monday, April 6, 2026
4/6/2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, March 27, 2026
3/26/2026HouseEngrossed on Tuesday, March 24, 2026
3/25/2026HouseConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 122, Nay 0, Absent 3
3/24/2026HouseConference committee report now available
3/23/2026SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea 38, Nay 0, Absent 2
3/23/2026SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Rep. Tom Kessler, Rep. Rebecca Schmoe and Rep. Heather Meyer
2/25/2026HouseMotion to accede adopted; Sen. Mike Thompson, Sen. Tory Marie Blew and Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau appointed as conferees
2/25/2026SenateFinal Action - Passed as amended; Yea 38, Nay 0, Absent 2
2/5/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Caryn Tyson
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Caryn Tyson was adopted
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau was withdrawn
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. William Clifford
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. William Clifford was adopted
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Oletha Faust Goudeau was adopted
2/4/2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended
2/4/2026SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
2/2/2026SenateHearing: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 10:30 AM — Room 144-S
1/14/2026SenateReferred to Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
3/6/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed; Yea 118, Nay 0, Absent 7
3/5/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
3/5/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed
3/4/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
As Introduced
Enrolled
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}
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