HB 302

House·20th Congress·Filed Jun 30, 2025

An Act Prohibiting the Holding or Detention of Cadavers by Medical Facilities, Morgues, and Funeral Parlors for Non-Payment of Hospital/Medical Bills and Funeral Expenses

In plain language

The Anti‑Cadaver Detention Act bans hospitals, morgues, clinics, and funeral parlors from holding a deceased person’s body or death certificate because the family has not paid medical or funeral bills. Families can still receive the body and certificate by signing a secured promissory note, and violators face fines, possible jail time, and temporary loss of business permits.

HealthConsumer Protection

Automated summary by BatasWatch. It may miss nuance — read the bill text before citing it.

Author · Representative

Salvador A. PleytoReceipts →

Official sources

Similar in what they’d do, filed by any lawmaker.

HB 9898· Filed Jun 18, 2026
An Act Imposing Higher Penalties for the Detention of Patients And/Or the Bodies of the Deceased Patients (Cadavers) in Hospitals, Medical Clinics, or Any Other Similar Facilities Due to Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses, Amending Republic Act No. 9439 and for Other Purposes
Pending First ReadingRep. Carmelo Jr. G. Lazatin
SB 217· Filed Jul 7, 2025
Amending R.a.no. 9439 (Detention of Patients and Cadavers in Hospitals)
Consolidated/substituted in the committee reportSen. Risa Hontiveros
HB 1138· Filed Jul 2, 2025
An Act Increasing the Penalties for the Detention of Patients and Cadavers in Hospitals, Medical Clinics, or Any Other Similar Facilities on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses Amending Republic Act No. 9439 Entitled "An Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses," and for Other Purposes
Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since 2025-07-29Rep. Charisse Anne C. Hernandez
HB 1346· Filed Jul 7, 2025
An Act Granting Free Funeral Services to Poor Families and Appropriating Funds Therefor
Pending with the Committee on SOCIAL SERVICES since 2025-07-30Rep. Lordan G. Suan
HB 7442· Filed Jan 27, 2026
An Act Strengthening the Rights of Patients Against Hospital Detention on the Ground of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills and Medical Expenses and Providing Stiffer Penalties for Violations Therefor, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9439 Otherwise Known as �an Act Prohibiting the Detention of Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics on Grounds of Nonpayment of Hospital Bills or Medical Expenses�
Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since 2026-02-02Rep. Jorge Daniel S. Bocobo

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HB00302 · Sources: BatasWatch