AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies.
Summary
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. .
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 6, 2026
Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Current/Final
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill significantly reduces the waiting period for notifying next of kin before a coroner can dispose of a body from six months to thirty days. It also clarifies that public funds can cover both burial and cremation costs, and adds specific instructions for handling remains of Jewish or religious community members.
Scope change
The bill applies to all coroners handling unclaimed dead bodies within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
TIMELINE
The required waiting period to notify next of kin was shortened from six months to thirty days.
REQUIREMENT
The disposal options were updated to explicitly include 'cremated and interred' alongside burial.
New instructions require coroners to contact the Chabad of the Bluegrass or other religious communities if the decedent is known to be Jewish or a member of a religious group willing to pay for burial.
The text was updated to clarify that public expense covers both burial and cremation and interment.
Floor votes · Senate Jan 23, 2026
How they voted
41–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 44
Jan 23, 2026
D
Democratic6
100% Yea
R
Republican38
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
11
Committee
10
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 127)
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 37-0
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 76-12 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Substitute (1) adopted
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
to Local Government (H)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed with 35-0 Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
to State & Local Government (S)
upper
Jan 6, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 6, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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