STAND. COM. REP. NO. 362-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 2513
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was
referred H.B. No. 2513 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNCLAIMED CORPSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to allow the Med-QUEST Division
to dispose of unclaimed corpses in a timely manner by:

     (1)  Requiring the cremation of unclaimed corpses;

     (2)  Allowing the Department of Human Services (DHS) to
          authorize the cremation of unclaimed corpses; and

     (3)  Providing immunity from liability arising from such
          cremations for DHS and other participants acting upon
          authorization by DHS.

     DHS testified in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that burial or disposal of unclaimed
corpses is already a State function; DHS is authorized to pay for
burial or disposal costs.  However, there is currently no
statutory designation of a State agency that is responsible to
authorize disposal of such remains.

     While this measure would effectively clarify existing
statutes, your Committee is sensitive to the dignified treatment
and disposal of the cremated human remains.  Specifically, your

 
 
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Committee encourages the preservation of the person's dignity by
considering:

     (1)  Awareness of cultural considerations;

     (2)  Post-cremation wishes of friends; and

     (3)  Respectful final disposition of human remains.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 2513 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and
be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Human Services
                                   and Housing,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair