SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Several Illinois lawmakers are pushing for legislation that could lead to felony charges for anyone who mishandles human remains.

State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield), Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield) and Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) all sponsor Senate Bill 3263, which was introduced on Tuesday.

The legislation would make it a felony for various actions that result in mishandling human remains, including:

• Knowingly and intentionally providing misidentified human remains

• Knowingly and intentionally providing inaccurate documentation of the identity of human remains

• Knowingly and intentionally storing human remains in violation of Illinois law

The law would apply to anyone authorized to treat, transport, or store human remains, which would include officials at funeral homes and crematoriums.

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The lawmakers say the bill comes in response to a situation in Carlinville, Illinois, last year. A funeral home there was accused of repeatedly mishandling human remains.

The Sangamon County Coroner in central Illinois launched an investigation and determined that the funeral home provided more than 80 families with the wrong remains. In some cases, remains were permanently lost. In others, officials improperly stored bodies, leading to an advanced state of decomposition.

“After working with dozens of people that were victimized by these egregious acts it was clear that there needed to be some common sense legislation introduced to help prevent or deter this from happening again,” said Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. “I am thankful for the hard work these officials have put in to creating this bill and look forward to seeing it passed.”

Nexstar affiliate WCIA reports these allegations led to the license of the Carlinville funeral home director being revoked.

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“Families who have lost a loved one have suffered enough already, it is unconscionable for anyone to try to victimize them in their time of sorrow,” said Senator McClure. “This legislation is designed to make sure human remains are treated with the serious dignity and respect that are required, that bereaved families are treated fairly, and that anyone who violates the law is punished accordingly.”

“The state failed too many family members by not acting quickly on such heinous allegations that were brought forth against the funeral home director,” said Coffey. “Legislation must be passed to protect families in the future and to deter criminal practices within funeral homes.”

SB 3263 was assigned for a first reading Tuesday and has also been referred to an assignments committee.

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