All Roll Calls
Yes: 219 • No: 1
Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)
Became Law
Investigation or autopsy of dead bodies; Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; notification of retention of whole organ. Requires the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to inform through written communication a decedent's next of kin, other person authorized by law to make arrangements for the disposition of a decedent's remains, or funeral service establishment or funeral service licensee if an investigation or autopsy requires the retention of any whole organ of a dead body. If the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner provides written notification to the funeral service establishment or funeral service licensee, the bill requires such establishment or licensee to provide such written notification to the decedent's next of kin or other person authorized by law to make arrangements for the disposition of the decedent's remains.
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5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Sheriffs, police, counties, cities, health care providers, and funeral homes are protected from civil lawsuits when they follow these rules. They are not protected for bad faith or malicious acts. Funeral homes are also protected when they arrange with a non-kin adult authorized by this law.
If a county or city pays for a funeral or cremation because family cannot, it can recover the money from the estate. This applies only if the decedent left assets that can pay these costs. Recovery reduces what heirs and beneficiaries receive.
Hospitals, morgues, and others who first hold a body must try in good faith to learn the person’s identity and tell the next of kin. If they cannot, they must contact the primary local police; if the person’s residence is known, they must notify police where the person lived. Families or other authorized people have 10 days after notice to claim the body, and the claimant pays the reasonable costs. If no one is found or no one claims within 10 days, the locality follows state unclaimed body procedures. Police agencies can ask another agency to do these duties if both agree.
The law sets a clear order for who decides about burial or cremation. Next of kin decide first. If they are not available or refuse, a named person in a remains designation, an agent in an advance directive, or a court-appointed guardian may decide. If none step up, any adult who can identify the decedent and is willing to pay the costs may arrange the disposition.
A body cannot be transferred for burial or cremation while an investigation or autopsy is underway. Transfer happens only after it is finished. When a whole organ is kept during an autopsy, the Medical Examiner must give written notice when the body is released. If the office tells the funeral home, the funeral home must give that written notice to the family. Funeral homes are not liable for missed notice unless they acted in bad faith or with malice.
Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31
Republican • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 219 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Passed Senate Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Reported from Education and Health
Yes: 15 • No: 0
House vote • 1/28/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 97 • No: 0
House vote • 1/22/2026
Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute
Yes: 21 • No: 1
House vote • 1/20/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0127)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 127 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB381)
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB381ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)
Assigned Education sub: Health
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
committee substitute agreed to
Read second time
Read first time
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB381)
Committee substitute printed 26105443D-H1
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
3/5/2026
Substitute
1/25/2026
Substitute
1/20/2026
Substitute
1/19/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
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