S.B. No. 2023 proposes the establishment of a grant program aimed at supporting the disposition of deceased paupers' bodies in Texas. The bill amends Chapter 694 of the Health and Safety Code by adding Section 694.004, which empowers the Health and Human Services Commission to create a deceased paupers grant program. This program will allow the Commission to award grants to counties for covering costs associated with the proper disposal of deceased paupers' bodies, as outlined in Section 694.002. The grants can be used for both the disposal costs and the administration of the counties' body disposition activities.

Additionally, the bill establishes a dedicated "deceased paupers grant account" within the general revenue fund, which will be funded through legislative appropriations, donations, and interest earned on the account. The funds in this account can only be utilized for awarding grants and administering the grant program. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is tasked with adopting rules for the program's administration. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
Senate Committee Report: ()