The legislative instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP ORT DIGEST
SB 187 2023 Regular Session Kleinpeter
Keyword and summary of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
CORONERS. Provides relative to cremation of bodies. (8/1/23)
Report rejects House amendments which would have:
1. Added types of testing required to be included in the coroners' post mortem
examination and evidence collection, including but not limited to DNA testing, bone,
skin, organ, and fluid retention under normal American Society of Crime Laboratory
Directors standards, and other evidence.
Report amends the bill to:
1. Add provisions changing "coroner's investigation" to "coroner's post mortem
examination and evidence collection"
Digest of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
DIGEST
SB 187 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Kleinpeter
Present law provides that if the cremation of a body is requested, the funeral director shall
immediately notify the coroner who has jurisdiction in the death. Proposed law retains
present law.
Present law provides that the coroner shall issue a permit for cremation if, after the necessary
investigation, he is satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
Present law provides that the coroner shall deny the permit if the investigation reveals
suspicious circumstances or the reasonable probability of the commission of a crime.
Present law further provides that the coroner may issue a permit for cremation after
completion of his investigation. Proposed law specifies that the permit for cremation shall
be denied until the post mortem examination and evidence collection is complete. Proposed law requires the coroner, upon completion of his post mortem examination and
evidence collection, to release the body to the family or friends for disposition in accordance
with present law.
Proposed law provides that when the coroner cannot release the body within 30 days of
death, the coroner is required to notify in writing the person or persons with the right to
dispose of human remains the reasons for any delay in release of the body.
Effective August 1, 2023.
(Amends R.S. 13:5716)