By Hudson H.B. No. 2274 74R7006 CAG-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the release or transfer of a dead human body from one 1-3 funeral establishment to another funeral establishment. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 251, Acts of the 53rd Legislature, 1-6 Regular Session, 1953 (Article 4582b, Vernon's Texas Civil 1-7 Statutes), is amended by adding Section 4A to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 4A. RELEASE OF BODY. (a) A funeral establishment that 1-9 was permitted or authorized to provide funeral services for a 1-10 deceased person may refuse to surrender the dead human body to 1-11 another person or agent authorized to make funeral arrangements for 1-12 the deceased person if the person or agent authorized to make 1-13 funeral arrangements has failed to pay any costs incurred by the 1-14 funeral establishment in the care and preparation for burial or 1-15 transportation of the dead human body. 1-16 (b) A refusal by a funeral establishment to release a dead 1-17 human body under Subsection (a) is not a violation of this Act. 1-18 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1995. 1-19 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-20 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-21 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-22 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-23 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.