HUMAN REMAINS: Enacts the Gracey Claire Rushing Act which provides for the chain of custody for human remains and internal organs (OR INCREASE LF EX See Note)

HB 454, the Gracey Claire Rushing Act, requires strict documentation and tracking for human remains and major organs during autopsies in Louisiana. It mandates detailed chain-of-custody reports at every handling stage - from coroner receipt to funeral home transfer - including inventories of organs placed in viscera bags. The bill requires coroners to notify families within 48 hours of any organ retention and ensures funeral homes verify organ returns before final disposition. These provisions directly affect coroners, forensic pathologists, funeral homes, and families of decedents, aiming to prevent discrepancies through standardized recordkeeping and transparency.