People who find an unmarked burial site, human remains, or burial artifacts must report them quickly, work must stop if the site may be disturbed, and the secretary controls permits and later jurisdiction in some cases.
§680. Discovery of unmarked burial sites, human skeletal remains, and burial artifacts A. Any person who has reason to believe he has discovered an unmarked burial site or received human skeletal remains from an unmarked burial site shall notify the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction where the site or remains are located within twenty-four hours of discovery. Any person who has reason to believe he has discovered or received burial artifacts shall notify the secretary through the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, division of archaeology, within seventy-two hours of the discovery. Failure to give notice as required is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars. B. Any activity that may disturb the unmarked burial site, human skeletal remains, or burial artifacts associated with the site shall immediately cease on discovery. No activity which will disturb the unmarked burial site shall resume until the secretary has issued a permit governing the disposition of the unmarked burial site, the human skeletal remains, or the burial artifacts. In no event shall the secretary take longer than thirty days to decide on issuance of a permit without the written agreement of all parties. C. Each law enforcement agency that receives notice of an unmarked burial site or human skeletal remains shall immediately notify the coroner of the parish where the site or remains are found. The law enforcement agency shall also notify the secretary through the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, division of archaeology, within two business days of any discovery unless circumstances indicate that the death or burial is less than fifty years old or that there is need for a criminal investigation or legal inquiry by the coroner. D. If the coroner finds that the unmarked burial site is over fifty years old and that there is no need for a legal inquiry by his office or for a criminal investigation, the secretary shall have jurisdiction of the site, human skeletal remains, and the burial artifacts. Acts 1991, No. 704, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2009, No. 438, §6A; Acts 2022, No. 574, §1.