§ 20-17-701. Definitions — Rights of coroner or courts unaffected

(a) As used in this subchapter:

1. (1) “Medical school” means a medical school or school of osteopathic medicine in this state that is:

   1. (A) Accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; or

   2. (B) Approved by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to seek accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education;

2. (2) “Next of kin” means a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or person otherwise authorized under § 20-17-702;

3. (3) “Unclaimed body” means a human body for which the next of kin:

   1. (A) Cannot be located; or

   2. (B) Does not exercise his or her right of disposition within the earlier of:

      1. (i) Two (2) days of notification of the death of the deceased; or

      2. (ii) Five (5) days of the death of the deceased; and

4. (4) “Unclaimed remains” means the cremated remains of an unclaimed body.

(b) This subchapter does not affect the right of a coroner to hold the dead body as described under § 20-17-703 for the purpose of investigating the cause of death or affect the right of any court of competent jurisdiction to enter an order affecting the disposition of the body.