Bill
Bill > A3260
NJ A3260
NJ A3260Authorizes cremation of unclaimed bodies by counties and storage of unclaimed bodies by hospitals.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends current law regarding unclaimed bodies. Specifically, a county is given the option under the bill to cremate an unclaimed body and is assigned responsibility for payment of the cremation. The bill also stipulates that cremains are to be retained by a medical examiner's office for at least one year from the date of the cremation. After one year, the cremains may be interred. Additionally, the bill updates current law by allowing storage of an unclaimed dead body by a hospital or medical examiner. The body may be, at the expense of the county, buried by a morgue keeper or cremated if, after 30 days, it remains unclaimed. Lastly, if an individual makes a valid claim to a body or cremains already buried, the individual is to incur the cost of disinterment. If the medical examiner is to conduct an investigation on a body, any disinterment is to be paid for by the medical examiner.
AI Summary
This bill allows counties to choose cremation as an option for unclaimed bodies, with the county responsible for the cremation costs, and requires medical examiners to store the resulting cremains, or ashes, for at least one year before they can be interred, or buried. It also permits hospitals and medical examiners to store unclaimed bodies, and if a body remains unclaimed for 30 days, it can be buried or cremated at the county's expense. Furthermore, if someone later claims a body or cremains that have already been buried, that individual will have to pay for the cost of digging it up, known as disinterment, unless the medical examiner is conducting an investigation, in which case the medical examiner covers the disinterment cost.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
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.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3260 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3260_I1.HTM |
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