Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

April 29, 2026

 

H. 4188

 

Introduced by Reps. Pope, B. Newton, M. M. Smith, Cox, Brewer, Ford, Davis, Robbins, Yow and C. Mitchell

 

S. Printed 4/29/26--S.

Read the first time February 11, 2026

 

________

 

The committee on Senate Judiciary

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4188) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 17-5-590, relating to disposition of remains of unidentified dead bodies by coroners, so as to include, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

 

    Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

SECTION 1.  Section 17-5-590 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 17-5-590.  (A) For purposes of this section:

       (1) a body is unidentified if the dead person's identity is unknown or cannot be established after all available methods have been exhausted; and

       (2) a body is unclaimed if:

           (a) a person cannot be located to take custody of the body, or

           (b) there is a person to take custody of the body, but that person cannot or will not assume financial responsibility for disposition of the body.

    (B) If the body of a dead person is unidentifiable, the remains may not be cremated for at least thirty days.  The coroner or medical examiner mustmay have the remains buried or interred in a cemetery in the county in which the remains were found.

    (B)(C) If a coroner has possession of human remains that have been identified and the deceased person has been determined to be an unclaimed veteran, then the coroner must release the remains to a funeral home, funeral establishment, or mortuary for disposition pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12, Title 25.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

LUKE RANKIN for Committee.

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-5-590, RELATING TO DISPOSITION OF REMAINS OF UNIDENTIFIED DEAD BODIES BY CORONERS, SO AS TO INCLUDE UNCLAIMED REMAINS IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATUTE, AND TO AUTHORIZE CORONERS TO RELEASE REMAINS TO FAMILY MEMBERS, RATHER THAN THE NEXT OF KIN, WHEN THE NEXT OF KIN IS CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OR OTHERWISE UNCOOPERATIVE IN CLAIMING REMAINS.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 17-5-590 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 17-5-590.  (A) If the body of a dead person is unidentifiable or unclaimed, the remains may not be cremated for at least thirty days from the date of death or date of discovery. The coroner or medical examiner must have the remains buried or interred in a cemetery in the county in which the remains were found.

    (B) When the next of kin of the deceased person is charged in connection with the death or is otherwise uncooperative in claiming remains, the coroner is authorized to release remains to another family member of the deceased person.

    (B)(C) If a coroner has possession of human remains that have been identified and the deceased person has been determined to be an unclaimed veteran, then the coroner must release the remains to a funeral home, funeral establishment, or mortuary for disposition pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 12, Title 25.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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