ChangeBridge / Kentucky / SB27 Passed
SB27 Senate Bill
Passed
2026-01-27

AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies.

Amend KRS 72.450 to allow a coroner who is in possession of an unclaimed dead body to have the body buried or cremated; direct that the decision between burial or cremation be made by the governmental entity bearing the expense; require a coroner to be consulted before a government entity decides if an unclaimed dead body is required to be buried or cremated; establish that if Jewish descent is known, that the Chabad of the Bluegrass, or any successor entity, be contacted by the appropriate government entity to inquire if the Chabad of the Bluegrass wants to pay for the burial expense, or if known to be a member of a religious community, the appropriate government entity contact any such religious community that has expressed, in writing, a willingness to the local county coroner that it will pay for, or otherwise provide, the burial expense of the community's members.

Bill Details

State

Kentucky

Session

2026 Regular Session

Chamber

Senate

Official Source

apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb27.html

LegiScan

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Sponsors

Greg Elkins (Sen - R)
Matthew Deneen (Sen - R)

Action History

2026-03-27 H posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026
2026-03-25 H 2nd reading, to Rules
2026-03-24 H reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
2026-03-05 H to Local Government (H)
2026-01-27 H to Committee on Committees (H)
2026-01-27 H received in House
2026-01-23 S 3rd reading, passed with 35-0 Committee Substitute (1)
2026-01-22 S posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, January 23, 2026
2026-01-22 S 2nd reading, to Rules
2026-01-21 S reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
2026-01-12 S to State & Local Government (S)
2026-01-06 S to Committee on Committees (S)
2026-01-06 S introduced in Senate

Votes

2026-01-23 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3777 Yea: 35 Nay: 0

Committee Referrals

2026-01-06 S Committee on Committees
2026-01-12 S State & Local Government
2026-01-22 S Rules
2026-01-27 H Committee On Committees
2026-03-05 H Local Government
2026-03-25 H Rules

Amendments

0000-00-00 Senate Committee Substitute
0000-00-00 Senate Committee Substitute
0000-00-00 House Committee Substitute
0000-00-00 House Committee Substitute

Bill Text Versions

0000-00-00 Introduced
0000-00-00 Engrossed

Subjects

Cemeteries and Burials Coroners Counties Deaths Local Government Religion Local Mandate

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