C.S.H.B. 2989 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 2989
By: Capelo
Public Health
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, authority and provision for the conduct of an inquest by
appropriate local authorities only includes language for the discovery of
a whole body but does not provide provision for the discovery of body
parts. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

HB 2989 amends Chapter 49 Code of Criminal Procedure and appropriate
subchapters by adding 'a body part' to existing language concerning the
discovery of 'the body'  The bill includes and provides for the roles,
process and inquest conducted by the Justice of the Peace, physicians
involved, peace officers, medical examiners, and forensic anthropologists
when a body part is discovered.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute differs from the original in that it requires the
practitioner to hold a doctoral degree in anthropology rather than be only
certified.