HI HB1578

Creates a new criminal offense of "theft of urn" classified as a class C felony, applying to persons who obtain an urn containing human ashes through theft or by violating scrap dealer regulations.

Defines "urn" as a container that is or has been used to hold human ashes for purposes of the penal code and scrap dealer statutes.

Requires scrap dealers to obtain a receipt describing the urn, seller identity, date of prior sale, and price before purchasing urns, matching existing requirements for copper and beer kegs.

Mandates scrap dealers to photograph or photocopy identification of sellers offering urns for sale and prohibits purchase without proper documentation, requiring dealers to report attempted sales without documentation to police.

Effective date is July 1, 2016.