Relating to persons with the authority to donate a body to certain entities for the advancement of medical or forensic science.

89(R) SB 1406 - Introduced version - Bill Text

89R10579 EAS-D

By: Parker

S.B. No. 1406

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to persons with the authority to donate a body to certain

entities for the advancement of medical or forensic science.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 691.023(a), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) An officer, employee, or representative of the state, of

a political subdivision, or of an institution having charge or

control of a body not claimed for burial or a body required to be

buried at public expense shall:

(1) notify the commission or the commission's

representative of the body's existence when the body comes into the

person's possession, charge, or control if notified in writing to

do so by the commission or the commission's representative;
and

(2) deliver the body in accordance with the direction

of the commission[
; and

[
(3)

allow the commission, the commission's

representative, or a physician designated by the commission who

complies with this chapter to remove the body to be used for the

advancement of medical or forensic science
].

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 691, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 691.0235 to read as follows:

Sec.

691.0235.

PERSONS WITH AUTHORITY TO DONATE BODY FOR

ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICAL OR FORENSIC SCIENCE. (a)

Notwithstanding

any other provision of this chapter, and subject to Subsections (b)

and (c), a person may not donate a body not claimed for burial or a

body required to be buried at public expense to a willed body

program of a medical or dental school, a non-transplant anatomical

donation organization, or another donee authorized by the

commission to be used for the advancement of medical or forensic

science.

(b)

A decedent's body may be donated to an entity described

by Subsection (a) by will or other written instrument in accordance

with Section 691.028.

(c)

A person who may lawfully claim a decedent's body for

burial under Section 691.024 may provide informed consent for the

body to be donated to an entity described by Subsection (a).

(d)

The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement

this section.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.