SB27Introduced in the Senate
AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies.
Introduced by Greg Elkins, District 28
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
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.
Where it stands
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 127)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4121 · April 1, 2026
37
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
38 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Howell | 1 | Yes |
| Danny Carroll | 2 | Yes |
| Craig Richardson | 3 | Yes |
| Robert Mills | 4 | Yes |
| Stephen Meredith | 5 | Yes |
| Lindsey Tichenor | 6 | Yes |
| Aaron Reed | 7 | Yes |
| Gary Boswell | 8 | Yes |
| David Givens | 9 | Yes |
| Matthew Deneen | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
introduced in Senate
to Committee on Committees (S)
to State & Local Government (S)
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
2nd reading, to Rules
posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, January 23, 2026
3rd reading, passed with 35-0 Committee Substitute (1)
received in House
to Committee on Committees (H)
to Local Government (H)
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
2nd reading, to Rules
posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 31 2026
Committee Substitute (1) adopted
3rd reading, passed 76-12 with Committee Substitute (1)
received in Senate
to Rules (S)
posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)
Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
passed 37-0
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
delivered to Governor
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 127)
Verify the information
- Official page on the Kentucky Legislature website
- Senate Committee Substitute (amendment)
- Senate Committee Substitute (amendment)
- House Committee Substitute (amendment)
- House Committee Substitute (amendment)
- Local Mandate Fiscal Impact (supplement)
- Local Mandate Fiscal Impact (supplement)
- Vote History (supplement)
- Local Mandate Fiscal Impact (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Engrossed (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Chaptered (text)
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