SB 1406

relating to persons with the authority to donate a body to certain
entities for the advancement of medical or forensic science.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 691.023(a), Health and Safety Code, is
(a)  An officer, employee, or representative of the state, of
a political subdivision, or of an institution having charge or
control of a body not claimed for burial or a body required to be
buried at public expense shall:
(1)  notify the commission or the commission's
representative of the body's existence when the body comes into the
person's possession, charge, or control if notified in writing to
do so by the commission or the commission's representative; and
(2)  deliver the body in accordance with the direction
[(3)  allow the commission, the commission's
representative, or a physician designated by the commission who
complies with this chapter to remove the body to be used for the
advancement of medical or forensic science].
SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 691, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 691.0235 to read as follows:
Sec. 691.0235.  PERSONS WITH AUTHORITY TO DONATE BODY FOR
ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICAL OR FORENSIC SCIENCE.  (a)  Notwithstanding
any other provision of this chapter, and subject to Subsections (b)
and (c), a person may not donate a body not claimed for burial or a
body required to be buried at public expense to a willed body
program of a medical or dental school, a non-transplant anatomical
donation organization, or another donee authorized by the
commission to be used for the advancement of medical or forensic
(b)  A decedent's body may be donated to an entity described
by Subsection (a) by will or other written instrument in accordance
(c)  A person who may lawfully claim a decedent's body for
burial under Section 691.024 may provide informed consent for the
body to be donated to an entity described by Subsection (a).
(d)  The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.