Relating to the final disposition of human remains

Sponsored by the House Judiciary (companion To Sf 2040 By Shipley) Committee

Topics:Courts & civil law

Same legislation: SF 2040, HSB 568

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 15, 2026
Done: House committeeFebruary 5, 2026
Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 26, 202690–0
Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
Done: Passes the SenateMarch 2, 202644–0
Done: To the GovernorApril 9, 2026
Done: Signed into lawApril 9, 2026

Signed into law What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary If the person in charge of a person's ashes does not claim them within 30 days of being notified, the authority to decide what happens to those ashes moves to the next adult in line. This change affects families and people responsible for handling human remains after someone dies. The bill also updates some wording in existing laws to make them clearer.¹

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the final disposition of human remains. The bill vests the authority to control the final disposition of a decedent’s cremated remains in the next competent adult listed in Code section 144C.5 (final disposition of remains —— right to control) if a designee or person with the authority to control the decedent’s remains does not claim the cremated remains within 30 calendar days after receipt of a written notice from a third party. The bill also makes technical changes to Code section 144C.8 (forfeiture of authority to control) by changing certain references to “declarant” to “decedent” and adding a reference to the person granted authority pursuant to Code chapter 144C (final disposition Act).

Why it matters. If a person authorized to control cremated remains does not claim them after receiving written notice, authority to control those remains would pass to the next competent adult listed in the law. This change affects families and individuals responsible for managing the final disposition of a deceased person's remains.²

Full bill text · What changed before it passed³

House subcommittee

Named January 15, 2026 (as HSB 568). On January 28, 2026 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§144C.8

How the Code works⁴

Lobbying

2 for · 0 against · 3 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Study bill

HSB 568Renumbered

91st General Assembly

SF 2040Didn’t advanceSenate companion HF 2349Became lawfrom HSB 568