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House Bill 3161 |
House Author: Hull |
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Effective: 9-1-23 |
Senate Sponsor: Huffman |
House Bill 3161 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and Health and Safety Code to require a justice of the peace, medical examiner, or the examiner's authorized deputy to conduct an inquest into a death when a person's body or body part is found and the person is unidentified, regardless of whether the cause or circumstances of death are known. Additionally, the bill prohibits a person from controlling the disposition of a decedent's remains if, in connection with the decedent's death, the person has been arrested or an arrest warrant has been issued for a homicide‑related crime involving family violence against the decedent, or if the decedent had filed a protective order application or such an order had been issued against or with respect to the person. The bill provides for the expediting of court proceedings to resolve any dispute over the right to control the disposition of a decedent's remains that involves a prohibited person.