TX HB5278

Requires licensing by the Texas Funeral Service Commission for willed body programs, non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, human body acquisition services, and authorized recipients that handle bodies or anatomical specimens for educational or research purposes

Creates a secure electronic database to track all donated bodies and body parts with unique identifiers, from initial consent through final disposition, accessible to designated persons

Establishes that knowingly violating the chapter is a state jail felony, and increases the penalty for existing offenses from a fine of $100-$500 to a Class B misdemeanor

Mandates that final disposition of donated bodies must occur exclusively through commission-licensed, flame-based cremation facilities in Texas, and prohibits donations to out-of-state entities without written commission authorization

Limits civil liability for funeral service providers by capping noneconomic damages at $250,000 per claimant (unless gross negligence or intentional misconduct occurred) and restricts who may bring lawsuits to contract parties or persons entitled to control disposition of remains