The bill H. 4188 seeks to amend Section 17-5-590 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which pertains to the disposition of remains of unidentified or unclaimed deceased individuals by coroners. The amendment expands the statute's scope to include unclaimed remains and allows coroners to release remains to family members instead of strictly the next of kin, particularly in cases where the next of kin is charged with a crime related to the death or is uncooperative in claiming the remains.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a coroner possesses the remains of an identified individual who is an unclaimed veteran, those remains must be released to a funeral home or mortuary for proper disposition. This legislation aims to streamline the process of handling unclaimed remains and ensure that families can reclaim their loved ones when appropriate. The bill will take effect upon approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
03/20/2025: 17-5-590
Latest Version: 17-5-590