SENATE APPROVES ELKINS’ MEASURE ALLOWING FOR POTENTIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT SAVINGS

SENATE APPROVES ELKINS’ MEASURE ALLOWING
FOR POTENTIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT SAVINGS

Provides local options regarding the remains of indigents

FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 21, 2024) — Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, presented Senate Bill 163 to the Senate’s consideration on Wednesday and it was approved.

The bill would allow cremation as an option for local governing authorities in the care of an unclaimed indigent human remains, usually related to homelessness and those without a next of kin. The measure may lead to cost savings for local governments and provide greater flexibility for locally elected officials responsible for the remains.
“I’m honored to have now had two bills pass the Senate, and I remain grateful to my colleagues for their support,” Elkins said. “As a former Clark County magistrate, local cost savings and flexibility is something I value, so I felt SB 163 was simple reform that would do that for our local governing authorities.”

Elkins addressed a room full of local county officials on Wednesday morning before the passage of SB 163. He outlined the bill during his remarks and provided insight on other pressing matters impacting county governments, such as jail costs and annexation.

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Senator Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, represents the 28th Senate District, including Bath, Clark, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties and an eastern portion of Fayette County. Elkins is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Local Government, State Government, Families and Children, and Health Services. He is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Services. Elkins is also an Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee member.
Visit the following link for a high-quality photo of Senator Elkins: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate128.jpg.

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