§ 9-604. Payment of burial and funeral expenses of indigent inmates

   (a) In general. -- Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the State shall pay the funeral and burial expenses of an indigent inmate who dies while in the custody of a State correctional facility.

(b) Amount. -- The State shall pay the same amount for the funeral and burial expenses of an indigent inmate as the Department of Human Resources pays under § 5-415 of the Human Services Article.

(c) Eligibility requirements. -- To be eligible to receive the benefit under this section, the family of an indigent inmate must be known or registered with the Department of Human Resources.

(d) Disposition of unclaimed body. -- If the body of an indigent inmate is not claimed within 48 hours after death, the State Anatomy Board shall take control of the body for final disposition in accordance with § 5-406 of the Health - General Article.

(e) Regulations. -- The Commissioner of Correction, the Commissioner of Pretrial Detention and Services, and the Director of the Patuxent Institution shall adopt regulations establishing procedures to carry out this section.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 698A; 1999, ch. 54, § 2; 2007, ch. 8, § 1.