House Bill 502 Summary

• Amends Idaho Code Section 54-1142 to authorize funeral directors and morticians to lawfully dispose of cremated remains when the person vested with disposition rights fails to claim or exercise control over the remains for at least one (1) year following death.

• Disposal authority applies only when the deceased was indigent or has no next of kin or legal representative to make final disposition decisions.

• Requires funeral directors and crematory authorities to maintain records of the location and date of such disposition for at least ten (10) years.

• Excludes unclaimed remains of veterans from this provision, which are governed separately under Idaho Code Section 54-1144.

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective upon passage and approval.