HB 5389

relating to the establishment of a grant program to support the
disposition of deceased paupers' bodies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 694, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 694.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 694.004.  DECEASED PAUPERS GRANT PROGRAM.  (a)  The
Health and Human Services Commission may develop a deceased paupers
grant program to award grants from the deceased paupers grant
account established by this section to counties for the purpose of
paying certain costs associated with the disposition of deceased
paupers' bodies in accordance with Section 694.002.
(b)  The Health and Human Services Commission may award a
grant under the grant program to a county to be used for:
(1)  paying the costs incurred in disposing of deceased
paupers' bodies in accordance with Section 694.002; and
(2)  administering the county's body disposition
(c)  The deceased paupers grant account is a dedicated
account in the general revenue fund and consists of:
(1)  appropriations of money to the account by the
(2)  gifts, grants, and other donations received for
(3)  interest earned on the investment of money in the
(d)  Money in the deceased paupers grant account may be used
by the Health and Human Services Commission only to:
(1)  award grants under this section; and
(2)  administer the deceased paupers grant program
(e)  If the Health and Human Services Commission develops a
deceased paupers grant program under this section, the executive
commissioner shall adopt rules for the administration of that
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.