Death - As introduced, requires, if the person or government agency assuming custody of a body for the purposes of burial does not request an autopsy, or that the body be embalmed, the person or agency to ensure that the body is buried within 48 hours from the time when the person or agency waives the ability to request an autopsy or embalming of the body. - Amends TCA Title 34, Chapter 6, Part 37; Title 38; Title 50; Title 56; Title 62, Chapter 5; Title 62, Chapter 6 and Title 68.
HB 1286 requires funeral homes, hospitals, or government agencies holding a body for burial to bury it within 48 hours if they do not request an autopsy or embalming. This applies when the entity waives the right to ask for either procedure. The rule does not apply if an autopsy could legally be requested under existing laws (like Tennessee’s Post-Mortem Examination Act). The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections related to burial procedures and takes effect July 1, 2025.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Last action Mar 25, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
6
Committee
8
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Health Subcommittee of Health Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Health Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Timothy Hill
RRepublican
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