summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Crematory Regulation Act. Authorizes the Comptroller to issue citations or fines, or both, to licensees. Requires a cemetery authority to implement (i) a standard operating procedure and provide a copy to all employees; and (ii) a medical waste management plan. Authorizes the Comptroller to impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation under the Act. Allows the Comptroller to refuse to issue a license or take disciplinary action if the applicant or licensee has failed to pay delinquent taxes or child support. Requires the Comptroller, upon revocation or suspension of a license, to notify the county coroner or medical examiner who is responsible for the area where the crematory is located to immediately make arrangements to take possession of bodies and cremated remains and arrange for final disposition of any decedents in the possession of the suspended licensee after consulting with the authorized agents for those bodies. Provides that if no authorized agent can be contacted, the county coroner or medical examiner shall take possession of bodies and cremated remains within 72 hours of notification from the Comptroller. Requires a crematory authority to perform a cremation no more than 60 days from the date the human remains have been delivered to it unless the crematory authority has received specific instructions to the contrary on its cremation authorization form. Requires the crematory authority to notify the Comptroller and the coroner or medical examiner in the county in which the death occurred as to why the cremation cannot be performed if it is not done within the 60-day period. Provides that pacemakers do not need to be removed in alkaline hydrolysis cremations. Requires that cremated remains must be stored in a place free from exposure to the elements and be responsibly maintained until disposal. Makes other changes. Amends the Cemetery Care Act. Provides that if a cemetery authority owning or operating a privately owned cemetery has accepted care funds and is considered abandoned or seeks dissolution, it allows, if no receiver is available, a circuit court to order a willing unit of local government to take over the cemetery. Makes other changes.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Crematory Regulation Act and the Cemetery Care Act to enhance oversight and clarify procedures. Under the Crematory Regulation Act, the Comptroller (the state official responsible for financial matters) is given new authority to issue citations and fines, with a maximum penalty of $10,000 per violation, for crematories that fail to comply with regulations. Crematory authorities must now implement standard operating procedures and medical waste management plans, and provide these to employees. The Comptroller can also deny or revoke licenses for failure to pay delinquent taxes or child support. In cases of license suspension or revocation, the Comptroller must notify the local coroner or medical examiner to take possession of any bodies or cremated remains held by the suspended licensee, arranging for their final disposition after consulting with authorized agents, or taking possession themselves if no agent can be reached within 72 hours. Cremations must generally be performed within 60 days of receiving human remains, unless otherwise instructed, and the crematory must notify the Comptroller and coroner if this deadline is missed, explaining the reason. Notably, pacemakers no longer need to be removed for alkaline hydrolysis cremations, and cremated remains must be stored in a protected, well-maintained location until disposal. The Cemetery Care Act is updated to allow a circuit court to order a local government entity to take over a privately owned cemetery if it is considered abandoned or seeks dissolution, especially if no receiver is available, and any existing care funds or deeds can be transferred to that local government.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner (on 02/18/2026)
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