HB 2065 Summary

• Allows county medical examiners to retain and supervise cremation of indigent deceased persons at county-owned and operated crematories licensed under state law, rather than requiring delivery to funeral establishments.

• Requires a county health department director to designate an independent county employee to register death certificates when the medical examiner is responsible for final disposition, ensuring separation of duties.

• Exempts county medical examiners and alternate medical examiners from funeral directing licensure requirements when directing disposition services for indigent deceased persons at county-operated crematories.

• Permits counties to apply for crematory licenses with the state department, with the county medical examiner or alternate medical examiner submitting the application on the county's behalf.

• Updates language throughout the statute from "geographical" to "geographic" and makes other technical corrections to funeral disposition procedures.