Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Local Government Committee
HB 1743
Brief Description: Concerning the disposition of the remains of a county resident who dies indigent in an adjacent county outside of Washington.
Sponsors: Representatives Schmick, Ryu and Graham.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • A board of county commissioners may provide for the disposition of the remains of an indigent resident of the county who dies in an adjacent county outside of Washington.
Hearing Date: 1/19/22
Staff: Kellen Wright (786-7134).
Background:

The board of county commissioners is required to provide for the disposition of the remains of a person who dies indigent within the county and whose body is unclaimed by relatives or a church organization. 

 

Human remains in Washington must be decently buried, undergo cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction within a reasonable time after death. 
Summary of Bill:

The board of county commissioners may provide for the disposition of the remains of an indigent resident of the county who dies in a neighboring county that is not in Washington state.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.