The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 276 on powers of guardian after death by Sen. Lanane. This bill authorizes certain guardians to make certain arrangements and control the disposition of a decedent’s body subsequent to the death of a protected person.
The bill was amended by consent to add that the court-appointed guardian is the second in line to make decisions regarding disposition of the body in all ways throughout the Indiana Code.
The Funeral Directors Association sent a letter of testimony in favor of the bill. The following also testified in support of the bill: Indiana AARP, Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Wings Indiana Guardianship Taskforce, and a guardian/attorney. A representative from Indiana State Bar Association Probate Section gave neutral testimony questioning the bills consistency with the power of attorney statutes.
The amended bill passed 6-5.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/276.