summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 17-5-590, Relating To Disposition Of Remains Of Unidentified Dead Bodies By Coroners, So As To Include Unclaimed Remains In The Purview Of The Statute, And To Authorize Coroners To Release Remains To Family Members, Rather Than The Next Of Kin, When The Next Of Kin Is Charged In Connection With The Death Or Otherwise Uncooperative In Claiming Remains.
AI Summary
This bill amends South Carolina law to expand the responsibilities of coroners regarding the disposition of deceased individuals. Specifically, it allows coroners to handle not only unidentified bodies but also those that are unclaimed, meaning no one has come forward to claim them. A key change is that if the deceased person's "next of kin" (the closest living relative) is either accused of involvement in the death or refuses to cooperate in claiming the body, the coroner can now release the remains to another family member instead of being restricted to only the next of kin. The bill also clarifies that if a deceased person is identified but determined to be an unclaimed veteran, the coroner must release the remains to a funeral home for proper disposition according to existing laws.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services, Justice
Sponsors (10)
Tommy Pope (R)*,
Gary Brewer (R),
Brandon Cox (R),
Sylleste Davis (R),
Greg Ford (R),
Cody Mitchell (R),
Brandon Newton (R),
Robby Robbins (R),
Mark Smith (R),
Richie Yow (R),
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Judiciary (on 02/11/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4188&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4188_20260205.htm |
| Fiscal Note - H4188 2025-03-20 Introduced | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/fiscalimpactstatements/H4188%202025-03-20%20introduced.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/4188_20250320.htm |
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