SRC-DBM C.S.H.B. 2301 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 2301
76R14514  MCK-DBy: Farabee (Moncrief)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/6/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the cremation of a pauper is prohibited if a relative or friend
expresses objection to cremation. However, if the person objecting to the
cremation does not take financial responsibility for a more expensive
ground burial, then the county must pay for the burial.  C.S.H.B. 2301
would set forth provisions for disposing of the body of a deceased pauper. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 2301 sets forth provisions for disposing of the body
of a deceased pauper. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioners court in SECTION 1
(Section 694.002(a), Health and Safety Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 694.002, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 694.002.  New heading: DUTY OF COMMISSIONERS COURT CONCERNING
DISPOSITION OF BODY OF DECEASED PAUPERS.  Requires the commissioners court
of each county to provide for the disposition of the body of a deceased
pauper.  Authorizes the commissioners court to adopt rules to implement
this section.  Requires the commissioners court to consider any
information, including the religious affiliation of the deceased pauper,
provided by a person listed in Section 711.002(a).  Deletes text requiring
the commissioners court of each county to provide for the interment or
cremation of paupers and text prohibiting a pauper from being cremated if a
relative or friend expresses objection to this procedure.  Makes conforming
changes. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 694.002, Health and Safety Code, to require the
commissioners court to consider any information, including the religious
affiliation of the deceased pauper, provided by a person listed in Section
711.002(a).