HCS HB 394 -- DESIGNATION OF NEXT-OF-KIN

SPONSOR:  Byrd

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Judiciary by a vote of 18 to 0.

This substitute defines "next-of-kin" for purposes of Chapter
193, RSMo (Vital Statistics); Chapter 194 (Death-Disposition of
Dead Bodies); Chapter 333 (Embalmers and Funeral Directors); and
Chapter 436 (Special Purpose Contracts).  Deceased persons'
next-of-kin may control final disposition of the remains if they
assume all costs for disposition.  Funeral directors are entitled
to rely and act on the lawful instructions of the claimed
next-of-kin.  A person can designate any person to be his or her
next-of-kin by a verified written instrument, including a will or
trust.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill clarifies a gray area
in Missouri law and provides some certainty for both families and
funeral homes.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Byrd; Missouri
Funeral Directors Association; and Reid Millard, Millard Family
Funeral Chapels.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am