Human remains: disposition.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
In Floor Process
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
Assembly Bill 2542, known as Marissa’s Law, modifies California’s laws regarding the disposition of human remains. It expands the priority for controlling the disposition of remains to include next-of-kin when a person with initial control is subject to a domestic violence restraining order against the deceased or when a court determines that granting disposition rights to that person would be contrary to the deceased’s best interests. The bill also protects funeral directors and cemetery authorities from liability for these determinations.
Key provisions
- Passes the right of control to next of kin if the person with initial control had a domestic violence restraining order against the deceased.
- Passes the right of control to next of kin if a court determines that granting disposition rights to the initial person would be contrary to the deceased’s best interests.
- Requires a court determination or legally determinative document to be presented in cases where the deceased’s best interests are in question.
- Protects funeral directors and cemetery authorities from civil or criminal liability for decisions made under the bill.
- Clarifies the priority of kin in determining disposition rights.
- Addresses the situation where a conservator or public administrator is responsible for disposition.
- Specifies how to handle situations where kin cannot be found after reasonable inquiry.
- Includes provisions for military personnel designated on DD Form 93.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
1 on record
Primary sponsor
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours