To Create Lux's Law; To Prohibit The Sale Of A Dead Human Body That Is Intended To Be Cremated Or Buried; And To Establish Penalties For The Sale Of A Dead Human Body.
Summary
SB17, known as "Lux's Law," amends Arkansas’s abuse-of-a-corpse statute to make it a crime to sell a corpse, or any part of a corpse, once the body has been authorized for final disposition through cremation or burial. The bill also keeps existing prohibitions on disinterring, removing, dissecting, mutilating, physically mistreating, or concealing a corpse in an offensive manner, and it clarifies what conduct counts as being "in a manner offensive to a person of reasonable sensibilities."
The measure is aimed at preventing the commercial sale of human remains intended for burial or cremation and at strengthening criminal penalties under the state’s corpse-abuse law. It adds a specific statutory reference to the sale of a corpse after final disposition has been authorized, while preserving the broader framework of Arkansas criminal law governing treatment of dead bodies.
Impact
SB17 directly amends Arkansas Code § 5-60-101, expanding the offense of abuse of a corpse to expressly include the sale of a corpse or any part of a corpse after authorization for cremation or burial. This affects individuals and entities involved in handling human remains, including funeral homes, crematories, medical examiners, and others who may come into possession of a body before final disposition. The bill also reinforces existing criminal liability for improper handling, concealment, or mutilation of a corpse and may be used to prosecute conduct involving the commercial trafficking of human remains.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support for the bill, with third-reading votes of 34-0 in the Senate and 96-0 in the House. No committee transcripts were provided, but the recorded votes indicate broad bipartisan agreement and little to no public opposition in the legislative process. The bill’s framing as a protective measure for the dignity of the deceased likely contributed to its favorable reception.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record, given the unanimous votes and absence of committee debate transcripts. Any potential concerns would likely center on how broadly the amended abuse-of-a-corpse statute could be applied, particularly in defining what constitutes a prohibited sale or offensive handling of remains. However, no specific objections from lawmakers, industry stakeholders, or advocacy groups are reflected in the provided materials.