Budget Amendment ID: FY2017-S4-498-R2

2nd Redraft EHS 498

Allowing for Timely Burial of Remains

Ms. Chandler, Messrs. Humason and Moore and Ms. Flanagan moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after Section 77 the following section:-

“SECTION 77A. The department of public health, in consultation with the executive office of public safety and security and the office of the chief medical examiner, shall provide recommendations on the safe handling of the body of a deceased person if it has not been claimed by next of kin in a reasonable period of time. The department shall hold at least 4 public hearings across the commonwealth to understand the regional issues related to this issue. The department shall make recommendations on: (i) ways to encourage timely transfer and burial of remains where the next of kin is not ascertainable; (ii) ways to address costs related to the timely transfer and burial of remains where the next of kin is not ascertainable; and (iii) recommended policies on the reasonable waiting period that must be observed prior to the burial of remains where the next of kin is not ascertainable. The department shall file its recommendations, as well as any recommended legislation, with the joint chairs of the committee on public health and the joint chairs of the committee on public safety and homeland security not later than January 1, 2017.”