Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Local Government Committee
HB 1100
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 and Leavitt.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Permits a board of county commissioners to 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: 1/18/23
Staff: Kellen Wright (786-7134).
Background:

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


Generally, a person has the authority to direct the disposition of their own remains.  If a person has not made arrangements or provided directions, or if the costs of executing the person's wishes exceed a reasonable amount, then responsibility for arranging the disposition, and the liability for the costs of the disposition, falls to the person's family or guardian.


However, when a person dies indigent and their body is not claimed by relatives or a church organization, it is the responsibility of the board of county commissioners of the county in which they died to provide for the disposition of the person's remains.

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.

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.