79R7502 YDB-D

By:  Hill                                                         H.B. No. 3015



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to next of kin for purposes of making funeral 
arrangements.        
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 711.002(a), Occupations Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  Unless a decedent has left directions in writing for the 
disposition of the decedent's remains as provided in Subsection 
(g), the following persons, in the priority listed, have the right 
to control the disposition, including cremation, of the decedent's 
remains, shall inter the remains, and are liable for the reasonable 
cost of interment:
		(1)  the person designated in a written instrument 
signed by the decedent;  
		(2)  the decedent's surviving spouse;                                         
		(3)  any one of the decedent's surviving adult 
children;                    
		(4)  [either one of] the decedent's surviving mother 
and father, other than a person whose parental rights have been 
terminated [parents];
		(5)  any one of the decedent's surviving adult 
siblings;  or                
		(6)  any adult person in the next degree of kinship in 
the order named by law to inherit the estate of the decedent.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.