AB 294

This bill changes procedures relating to burial or cremation and burial of a

deceased prison inmate and cremation of an unclaimed corpse. Under the bill, the

Department of Corrections must provide written notification to a deceased inmate's

relative informing him or her that DOC will, upon request, provide a copy of any

autopsy report or other report regarding the inmate's death and allow the relative

to claim the cremated remains of the inmate before the remains are buried. With

certain exceptions, the bill allows the superintendent of an institution or other public

officer to cremate and bury an unclaimed corpse. The bill prohibits cremation of an

unclaimed corpse if the deceased person died as a result of homicide.

The bill also adds an express allowance for DOC to charge a prisoner's estate

for some or all of the costs to the department of the prisoner's incarceration or burial

or cremation and burial. Under the bill, if an inmate in a state prison has not paid

court-ordered restitution at the time of his or her death, DOC is required to assess,

collect, and disburse the amount owed from the inmate's wages or other moneys.