Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.
Section 651.401 - First Call; Removal of Body(a) First call occurs at the beginning of a relationship between a funeral director and a person authorized by Section 711.002, Health and Safety Code, to control the disposition of the decedent's remains.(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (c), a funeral director must direct the pickup of a dead human body under this chapter.(c) A dead human body may be transferred without a funeral director directing the transfer at the direction of a justice of the peace or other law enforcement official.(d) A funeral director may direct an unlicensed person, a provisional license holder, or an embalmer in the removal of a dead human body. A funeral director who directs the removal of a dead human body by an unlicensed person is strictly accountable for compliance with the requirements of this chapter. If an unlicensed person, a provisional license holder, or an embalmer inadvertently encounters a family member or other person with whom funeral arrangements are normally made, the person shall restrict communication with the family member or other person to: (1) identifying the person's employer; and(2) making any disclosure to the family member or other person that is required by federal or state law or regulation.Amended by Acts 2019, Texas Acts of the 86th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 124,Sec. 25, eff. 9/1/2019.Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.386(a), eff. 9/1/2001. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1999.