Disposition of human remains: scattering at sea.

Senator Weber Pierson's legislation refines California's regulations on the scattering of cremated and hydrolyzed human remains at sea by adding docks attached to shore to the list of prohibited scattering locations. The measure builds upon existing provisions that bar scattering from bridges and piers while maintaining allowances for dispersal by boat or aircraft.

The bill preserves current requirements that remains must be removed from containers before scattering and that such activities cannot occur within 500 yards of the shoreline. Individuals conducting sea scatterings must file a verified statement with the local registrar of births and deaths in the nearest county, documenting the deceased's name, death details, and the specific location where remains were scattered. The first copy of the endorsed permit must be filed within 10 days of disposition.

By expanding prohibited locations, the measure creates additional parameters around what constitutes improper disposal of human remains under state law. While the bill establishes new criminal provisions that local agencies must enforce, it specifies that no state reimbursement is required for associated costs, as the changes fall within existing constitutional exemptions for modifications to criminal statutes.