BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hill
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, the law allows for either one of a decedent's surviving parents to be among the persons that have the right to control the disposition, including cremation, of the decedent's remains, to inter the remains, and assure liability for the reasonable cost of interment. Since the law allows for either of the parents to be involved in the process instead of both parents, in the cases of divorce and re-marriage, there may be some instances where one parent may be left out of the decision-making process.
The bill would allow the decedent's surviving mother and father, other than a person whose parental rights have been terminated, be allowed to participate in making funeral arrangements.
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
The bill requires that both the decedent's surviving mother and father, other than a person whose parental rights have been terminated, be allowed to participate in making funeral arrangements.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.