Proceedings for the removal and relocation of human remains

Provides that should any locality having acquired by any means land on which an abandoned graveyard is located, including lands acquired in accordance with § 22.1-126.1 for educational purposes, initiate plans to use that land for purposes other than to maintain the graveyard, such locality shall, prior to completion of said plans, develop and engage in active public notice and participation regarding efforts to avoid adverse impacts to the graveyard or to remove the remains interred in such graveyard to an alternative repository. The bill provides that such notice and participation shall include, at minimum, publication of at least one notice in a local newspaper of general circulation, notice posted at the site of the graveyard, and notice to and consultation with any historic preservation or other such commission, as well as area historical and genealogical societies, and at least one public hearing, and notice to the Department of Historic Resources (Department) and any local historical commission or organization. In addition, if a locality has acquired land on which an abandoned cemetery or gravesite of Virginians held as slaves at the time of their deaths is located, the locality must notify the Department of the location of such cemetery or gravesite. The Department shall maintain as a public record a listing of all locations of all abandoned cemeteries and gravesites of Virginians held as slaves at the time of their deaths that have been submitted to the Department.

17 vac 5 - 20 : Regulations Governing Permits for the Archaeological Removal of Human Remains