Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB359: Unclaimed Body or Remains/State/Action
Status: Signed into law, September 24, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN REMAINS.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 29 and title 31 of the delaware code relating to the disposition of human remains.
From the introduced text, April 15, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 AND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN REMAINS. Section 1. Amend § 4711, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: § 4711. Disposition of an unclaimed body or remains of an indigent person [For application of this section, see 84 Del. Laws, c. 261, § 16]. (a) In any case where there is an unclaimed body or there are remains of indigent persons and it is incumbent on the State or any political subdivision thereof to bury or cremate such person found dead, the Chief Medical Examiner or a duly authorized representative shall notify the Division of Social Services of the Department of Health and Social Services to arrange for the burial or cremation of the unclaimed body or remains of an indigent person unless the case falls within the category described in subsection (b) of this section. (b) When there is a written consent of the next of kin or other legally responsible party, the remains of an indigent person may be subjected to natural organic reduction, cremated, reduction or donated for scientific research. Section 2. Amend § 110, Title 31 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike …
Sponsors
- DeShanna Neal (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Nicole Poore (D, 12)
- Kendra Johnson (D, 5)
- Alonna Berry (D, 20)
- Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D, 1)
- Rebecca Snyder-Hall (D, 14)
- Kerri Harris (D, 32)
- Russ Huxtable (D, 6)
- Stephanie Hansen (D, 10)
- Kyra Hoffner (D, 14)
- Raymond Seigfried (D, 5)
- David Wilson (R, 18)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Social Services) in Senate with 7 Favorable
- : Assigned to Health & Social Services Committee in Senate
- : Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 4 ABSENT
- : Reported Out of Committee (Health & Human Development) in House with 1 Favorable, 9 On Its Merits
- : Introduced and Assigned to Health & Human Development Committee in House
Votes
- Passed (2/3) (June 25, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (May 5, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB359?
- HB359 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Unclaimed Body or Remains/State/Action.
- What does HB359 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 29 and title 31 of the delaware code relating to the disposition of human remains.
- What is the status of HB359?
- Signed into law as of September 24, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (September 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB359?
- DeShanna Neal (D, 13), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB359?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=143094
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.