Bill: SB 239, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

Senate Health & Human Services

Companion Bill

HB 298

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Positive

Author(s)

Donna Campbell

Bill Caption

Relating to a parent's right to view the body of a deceased child before an autopsy is performed. 

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would allow the parents of a deceased child whose death occurred in a hospital to view the body of the child before the body is examined by a justice of the peace or medical examiner. If the child did not die at a hospital or other institution, the bill would require that the that the parent first obtain consent by the justice of the peace or medical examiner to see the body of the child. The parents would also be required to be supervised by law enforcement or a physician or other medial professional during the viewing and obtain consent from the justice of the peace or medical examiner before having contact with the child's body. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

It is the right of a parent to see the body of their deceased child before an autopsy occurs and not the job of the government to prevent a parent from seeing their own child, especially in this circumstance. This bill contains sufficient safeguards to ensure that a parent who may be suspected of involvement in the child's death could not use this law as a way to tamper with the body. We support this bill. 

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 11:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/sb239?print_view=true