TITLE 25.HEALTH SERVICES

Part 4. ANATOMICAL BOARD OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

Chapter 477. DISTRIBUTION OF BODIES

25 TAC §477.4, §477.5

The Anatomical Board of the State of Texas (board), acting through its Executive Committee, adopts amendments to Title 25, Texas Administrative Code, §477.4 (relating to Transport, Importation and Exportation of Bodies) and §477.5 (relating to Transfer of Bodies). Notice of the proposed amendments was published in the July 16, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 6878). The amended sections are adopted without changes to the proposed text and will not be republished.

The amendment to §477.4(a) makes clear that the transfer and transport of bodies from one institution to another, or for export from the state, is to be done by a licensed funeral establishment, ambulance service, member institution, or public carrier.

Section 477.5(d) presently requires board approval in advance for the disposal of transferred bodies that are not being returned to the institution that originally provided the body for final disposition. The need to consider these requests occurs too frequently to continue this practice. Accordingly, the amendment grants authority to both the secretary-treasurer and the board to approve other arrangements for the disposal of transferred bodies.

The Board received no comments regarding the amendments.

The amended sections are adopted under Health and Safety Code §691.007 which authorizes the Board to promulgate rules for its administration. The amended sections are also adopted under Health and Safety Code §691.022(b). The board interprets this section as requiring it to adopt rules to ensure that bodies are treated with respect.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the amended sections.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on December 28, 2004.

TRD-200407510

Cue D. Boykin

Assistant Attorney General

Anatomical Board of the State of Texas

Effective date: January 17, 2005

Proposal publication date: July 16, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 475-4239