Senate Bill 27

Actions | Amendments
Last Action 01/27/26: to Committee on Committees (H)
Title AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies.
Bill Documents Current
Introduced
Fiscal Impact Statements Local Mandate
Additional Fiscal Impact Statements Exist
Bill Request Number 1272
Sponsors G. Elkins, M. Deneen
Summary of Original Version Amend KRS 72.450 to allow a coroner who is in possession of an unclaimed dead body to have the body buried or cremated; direct that the decision between burial or cremation be made by the governmental entity bearing the expense; require a coroner to be consulted before a government entity decides if an unclaimed dead body is required to be buried or cremated; establish that if Jewish descent is known, that the Chabad of the Bluegrass, or any successor entity, be contacted by the appropriate government entity to inquire if the Chabad of the Bluegrass wants to pay for the burial expense, or if known to be a member of a religious community, the appropriate government entity contact any such religious community that has expressed, in writing, a willingness to the local county coroner that it will pay for, or otherwise provide, the burial expense of the community's members. .
Index Headings of Original Version Cemeteries And Burials - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Coroners - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Counties - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Deaths - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Local Government - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Religion - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Local Mandate - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Jump to Proposed Amendments Senate Committee Substitute 1 with Fiscal Impact Statements
Votes Vote History

Actions

Top | Amendments
01/06/26
  • introduced in Senate
  • to Committee on Committees (S)
01/12/26
  • to State & Local Government (S)
01/21/26
  • reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
01/22/26
  • 2nd reading, to Rules
  • posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, January 23, 2026
01/23/26
  • 3rd reading, passed with 35-0 Committee Substitute (1)
01/27/26
  • received in House
  • to Committee on Committees (H)

Proposed Amendments

Top | Actions
Amendment Senate Committee Substitute 1
Fiscal Impact Statement Local Mandate to Senate Committee Substitute 1
Summary Retain original provisions; establish that a coroner who is in possession of an unclaimed dead body shall make a bona fide attempt for at least 30 days to notify a spouse or next of kin a decedent's death; require that if a decedent is known to be a member of a religious community, the appropriate governmental entity shall consult with any such religious community that has expressed, in writing, a willingness to the local county coroner that it will pay for, or otherwise provide, the burial expense of the community's members.
Index Headings Cemeteries And Burials - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Coroners - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Counties - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Deaths - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Local Government - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation
Religion - Burial or cremation of a dead body, facilitation

Last updated: 1/29/2026 5:15 PM (EST)