South Carolina H4188: Coroners, disposition of unidentified or unclaimed remains

What the bill says

To amend the south carolina code of laws by amending section 17-5-590, relating to disposition of remains of unidentified dead bodies by coroners, so as to include unclaimed remains in the purview of the statute, and to authorize coroners to release remains to family members, rather than the next of kin, when the next of kin is charged in connection with the death or otherwise uncooperative in claiming remains. amend title to conform b e it enacted by the general assembly of the state of south carolina: s ection 1. s ection 17-5-590 of the s.c. code is amended to read: s ection 17-5-590.

From the amended text, May 5, 2026:

A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 17-5-590, RELATING TO DISPOSITION OF REMAINS OF UNIDENTIFIED DEAD BODIES BY CORONERS, SO AS TO INCLUDE UNCLAIMED REMAINS IN THE PURVIEW OF THE STATUTE, AND TO AUTHORIZE CORONERS TO RELEASE REMAINS TO FAMILY MEMBERS, RATHER THAN THE NEXT OF KIN, WHEN THE NEXT OF KIN IS CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OR OTHERWISE UNCOOPERATIVE IN CLAIMING REMAINS. Amend Title To Conform B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. S ection 17-5-590 of the S.C. Code is amended to read: S ection 17-5-590. ( A) For purposes of this section: ( 1) a body is unidentifiable if the dead person's identity is unknown or cannot be established after all available methods have been exhausted; and ( 2) a body is unclaimed if: ( a) a person cannot be located to take custody of the body, or ( b) there is a person to take custody of the body, but that person cannot or will not assume financial responsibility for disposition of the body. ( B) If the body of a dead person is unidentifiable or unclaimed , the remains may not be cremated for at least thirty days from the date of death or date of discovery …

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Sponsors

• Thomas Pope (R, 47) · primary sponsor
• Brandon Newton (R, 45)