SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2013 SESSION

  • | print version

SB 931 Dead bodies; notification for disposition to next of kin to claim body within 30 days of notice.

Introduced by: Jill Holtzman Vogel | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Disposition of unclaimed dead bodies. Provides that in cases in which the next of kin of a deceased person fails or refuses to claim the body of the deceased person within 30 days, the sheriff or other person having initial custody of the dead body may dispose of the body, and provides that, absent bad faith or malicious intent, a sheriff who accepts a dead body for disposition shall be immune from civil liability.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Disposition of unclaimed dead bodies. Establishes a time by which a person must claim a dead body and provides that in cases in which no person claims the body of a deceased person within 10 business days of the death or notification of the next of kin of the deceased person, the sheriff or other person or institution having custody of the body may make arrangements for the disposition of the body. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for sheriffs for acts, decisions, and omissions related to acceptance and disposition of dead bodies.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Disposition of unclaimed dead bodies. Establishes a time by which a person must claim a dead body and provides that in cases in which no person claims the body of a deceased person within 90 days of the death or notification of the next of kin of the deceased person, the sheriff or other person or institution having custody of the body may make arrangements for the disposition of the body. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for sheriffs for acts, decisions, and omissions related to acceptance and disposition of dead bodies.