Criminal Law - Dismembering or Burying Human Remains With Intent to Conceal a Crime
HB 674 prohibits individuals from intentionally concealing a death by failing to notify emergency services or law enforcement, dismembering or destroying human remains, or burying a dead body. It also bans aiding or abetting these acts. Violating this law is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with sentences served consecutively to other related convictions. The bill directly affects anyone who attempts to hide a death through these specific actions, targeting concealment of death rather than the underlying crime.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 24, 2025
Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
First - Criminal Law – Concealment of Death and Disturbing and Dismembering Human Remains
→
Third - Criminal Law - Dismembering or Burying Human Remains With Intent to Conceal a Crime
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand its scope from simply concealing death to also include burying human remains with the intent to conceal a crime. The changes clarify that the law applies to crimes beyond just death concealment and add new provisions about aiding and abetting violations. The penalty structure was also modified to allow for consecutive sentencing rather than concurrent sentencing.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include burying human remains with intent to conceal a crime, rather than just concealing death itself.
SCOPE
Changed the title and purpose to include 'burying human remains with intent to conceal a crime' in addition to concealing death.
ENFORCEMENT
Added a new subsection allowing for consecutive rather than concurrent sentencing when multiple crimes are committed.
Changed the maximum prison sentence from 10 years to 5 years.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new provision prohibiting aiding or abetting violations of the section.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2025
How they voted
41–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 46
Mar 21, 2025
D
Democratic33
84% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 545
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (41-0-5)
senate
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 5, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-3)
house of delegates
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
First Reading Judiciary
lower
15 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Aaron Kaufman
DDemocratic
P
Chris Tomlinson
RRepublican
P
Deni Taveras
DDemocratic
P
Emily Shetty
DDemocratic
P
Greg Wims
DDemocratic
P
Kym Taylor
DDemocratic
P
Lauren Arikan
RRepublican
P
Lesley Lopez
DDemocratic
P
Nick Allen
DDemocratic
P
Nicole Williams
DDemocratic
P
Scott Phillips
DDemocratic
P
Sheree Sample-Hughes
DDemocratic
P
Susan McComas
RRepublican
P
Teresa Woorman
DDemocratic
P
Todd Morgan
RRepublican
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