Texas Senate Bill SB1406

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 2/19/25

Caption

Relating to persons with the authority to donate a body to certain entities for the advancement of medical or forensic science.

Impact

The implementation of SB1406 is expected to enhance the process of body donation for educational and scientific purposes. By establishing clear protocols and definitions about who can authorize such donations, the bill aims to streamline operations for medical and dental education institutions. Moreover, the bill may reduce the misuse or confusion surrounding unclaimed bodies, ensuring they are utilized for public good rather than neglected or mismanaged.

Summary

SB1406 proposes amendments to the Health and Safety Code regarding the authority to donate unclaimed bodies for medical and forensic science advancement. The bill specifies that individuals may donate bodies not claimed for burial or required to be buried at public expense to approved medical organizations, dental schools, or designated anatomical donation organizations. It underscores the need for written consent, either through a will or another document, for such donations to take place, thereby clarifying the legal grounds for body donation in these contexts.

Contention

While the bill emphasizes the importance of consent and proper procedures for body donations, it may cause contention concerning the ethical considerations of body donations. There's potential concern regarding whether all individuals who may wish to claim a body for burial are adequately informed and whether potential biases exist toward certain demographics. Opponents may argue that the boundaries of consent should be more transparent to prevent any exploitation or misunderstanding among families of decedents regarding the fate of unclaimed bodies.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Health And Safety Code

• Chapter 691. Donation Of Bodies And Anatomical Specimens
  • Section: 023
  • Section: New Section