BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1777
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1777 (Ma)
As Introduced February 21, 2012
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 9-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Bill Berryhill, | | |
| |Allen, Butler, Eng, | | |
| |Hagman, Hill, Ma, Smyth | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Authorizes the transfer of cremated human remains
from a durable container to a scattering urn, as defined, no
more than seven days before scattering the cremated remains at
sea from a boat. Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes the transfer of cremated remains from a durable
container into a scattering urn no more than seven days of
scattering the cremated remains at sea from a boat.
2)Specifies that this bill does not authorize the use of a
scattering urn when the cremated remains are to be scattered
by a plane over land or at sea.
3)Defines "scattering urn" to mean a closed container containing
cremated remains that will dissolve and release its contents
within four hours of being placed at sea.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Specifies the manner for disposing cremated human remains,
including allowing the remains to be taken by boat or by air,
and scattered at sea, in accordance with specified procedures.
2)Requires cremated remains be removed from the container before
being scattered at sea.
3)Requires persons who scatter at sea, either from a boat or
from the air, any human cremated remains, to file with the
local registrar of births and deaths in the county nearest the
point where the remains were scattered, a verified statement
AB 1777
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containing certain information, as specified.
4)Defines the phrase "at sea" to include the inland navigable
waters of this state, exclusive of lakes and streams, provided
that no such scattering may take place within 500 yards of the
shoreline.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "There has been an
extraordinary shift in the way Californians deal with disposal
of bodies after death. Cremations will soon surpass 50% of
dispositions. One of the most popular ways to ultimately
dispose of the cremated remains is at sea.
"This legislation puts in statute the protocols for disposing at
sea. 1) It clarifies when the cremated remains can be moved
from a durable container into a scattering urn, which is seven
days. 2) It clarifies that the scattering urn, which is a
closed container holding the cremated remains to prevent the
accident spilling of the ashes, will be dissolvable and will
release its contents within four hours."
After cremation has been completed, human remains are swept from
the cremation chamber, processed to a uniform size, and placed
in a sturdy plastic bag sealed with an identification disk, tab,
or label. The bag is then placed in a durable cremated remains
container.
There are several methods for disposing cremated remains
including scattering them at sea, at least 500 yards from shore.
Cremated remains may be scattered by a licensed cemetery,
cemetery broker, crematory, registered cremated remains
disposer, funeral establishment staff member, or the decedent's
family. All cremated remains must be removed from the container
for scattering.
This bill authorizes the transfer of cremated human remains from
a durable container to a scattering urn, as defined, no more
than seven days before scattering the cremated remains at sea
from a boat.
AB 1777
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Analysis Prepared by : Rebecca May / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0003253