1-1     By Hirschi                                            H.B. No. 1860

 1-2     75R7827 T                           

 1-3                                   AN ACT

 1-4     relating to the disposition of the body of a deceased pauper.

 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-6           SECTION 1.  Section 694.002, Health and Safety Code, is

 1-7     amended to read as follows:

 1-8           Sec. 694.002.  DUTY OF COMMISSIONERS COURT CONCERNING [BURIAL

 1-9     OF PAUPERS] DISPOSITION OF THE BODY OF A DECEASED PAUPER.  The

1-10     commissioners court of each county shall provide for the

1-11     [internment or cremation of paupers] disposition of the body of a

1-12     deceased pauper.  [A pauper may not be cremated if a relative or

1-13     friend expresses objection to this procedure.]

1-14           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect on September 1, 1997.

1-15           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-16     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-17     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-18     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-19     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.