Kansas committee hears bill to set timelines for coroners to dispose of unclaimed cremains

Summary

A Federal and State Affairs hearing on HB 2331 drew support from Sedgwick County officials and a student speaker; the bill would give coroners a timetable to dispose of unclaimed cremated remains, limit coroner liability, and allow veteran cremains to be transferred for burial, but veterans’ officials and lawmakers asked for clearer notification rules and cost language.

TOPEKA — The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee heard testimony on HB 2331 on Jan. 30, a bill that would amend KSA 22A-215 to set timelines and limited liability for coroners who handle unclaimed cremated remains.

Jason (presenter), who described the bill to the committee, said it would allow a coroner to relinquish cremated remains if no claim is made after a statutory waiting period and a published notice. "There is a published notice that the coroner makes, that the remains must be claimed within 30 days," he told the committee, saying the provisions would take effect July 1 and that he would file a technical correction to a cross-reference in the draft.

Supporters said coroners need clearer authority. Dr. Shelley Steadman, director of the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita, told the committee Sedgwick stores roughly 600 cremains and has seen rising numbers of unclaimed bodies. "Our hope is that you will adopt the language, providing coroners with this much needed direction, and allowing for these individuals to be given a permanent disposition," she said, noting that…

Kansas committee hears bill to set timelines for coroners to dispose of unclaimed cremains

Summary

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