HB 1484 Summary

• Adds definition of "next of kin" (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or authorized person) and "unclaimed remains" (cremated remains of unclaimed bodies) to Arkansas Code § 20-17-701.

• Requires persons assuming possession of a body to conduct diligent search for next of kin within 5 days of death, including searches with Department of Veterans Affairs and State Crime Laboratory for unidentified deceased.

• Mandates disposition of unclaimed bodies within 10 days after death through burial, cremation, or donation if not claimed by relatives, friends, fraternal societies, veterans organizations, charitable groups, or medical schools.

• Reduces medical school holding period for unclaimed bodies from 90 days to 15 days before all rights vest in the state for benefit of the medical school.

• Allows county coroner to assume possession and control of unclaimed bodies, and permits persons possessing unclaimed bodies to petition county court for the county to take possession.