• mp3 Assemblymember Ma says multiple “human display” shows are using dozens of bodies in each show and few have documents to show they are using the bodies with consent.

• mp3 Assemblymember Ma says this is an industry that should be regulated.

• mp3 Assemblymember Ma says her legislation simply wants the human display shows to provide documentation that they have permission from the person or their next of kin to display the body.

• mp3 Assemblymember Ma says unless the human display shows have consent documentation the shows are disrespectful of the dead.

(Sacramento) - Legislation to regulate dead body exhibits, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), passed an Assembly Committee today by a bipartisan vote of 7-0. Assembly Bill 1519 will prohibit the commercial profit and public display of human bodies or remains without the documented informed consent of the deceased or next-of-kin. At the hearing, Assemblymember Tom Berryhill (R- Modesto), an organ donation recipient, testified on the need for the full consent of family members when organs are donated.

“As an Asian American, I know that few people from my community would voluntarily donate their organs or bodies due to the strong cultural preference of leaving their body intact for burial after death,” said Assemblymember Ma. “This is more than dead-body trafficking. This is grave-robbing and abuse.”

The bill was heard in the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media Committee at the same time that the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit is on display in Sacramento. Exhibitors who put on these shows, who often obtain bodies from China, run galleries and displays of what may be unwilled human remains in distasteful poses generating lucrative profits, while claiming the case of providing the public with health awareness.

“As an organ donation recipient, I know firsthand how important it is to maintain an effective organ and body donation program,” said Assemblymember Berryhill. “The heart I received was given with the full consent and support of a family who made a very difficult choice during a very painful time. It is imperative that every family be given the opportunity to make that choice.”

AB 1519 requires exhibitors of human remains to provide a paper trail of informed consent and obtain a permit from local government to ensure bodies were donated, not exploited. Violators will face a civil penalty of $10,000. The bill sends a message to exhibitors that California appreciates learning about the human body but does not accept the commercial exploitation of unwilled bodies. The bill will now move to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is expected to be heard within the next two weeks.

Here's an Assembly Web Report with more: 

For more information on Assemblymember Ma’s legislation, please click here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1501-1550/ab_1519_cfa_20080115_134945_asm_comm.html