Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=27.44&full=true
Timestamp: 2020-08-15 02:43:10
Document Index: 350826164

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 6', '§ 2', '§ 3207', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 11']

Chapter 27.44 RCW: INDIAN GRAVES AND RECORDS
RCWs > Title 27 > Chapter 27.44
Chapter 27.44 RCW
INDIAN GRAVES AND RECORDS
27.44.020 Examination permitted—Removal to archaeological repository.
27.44.030 Intent.
27.44.040 Protection of Indian graves—Penalty.
27.44.050 Civil action by Indian tribe or member—Time for commencing action—Venue—Damages—Attorneys' fees.
27.44.055 Skeletal human remains—Duty to notify—Ground disturbing activities—Coroner determination—Definitions.
27.44.901 Liberal construction—1989 c 44.
RCW 27.44.020
Examination permitted—Removal to archaeological repository.
Any archaeologist or interested person may copy and examine such glyptic or painted records or examine the surface of any such cairn or grave, but no such record or archaeological material from any such cairn or grave may be removed unless the same shall be destined for reburial or perpetual preservation in a duly recognized archaeological repository and permission for scientific research and removal of specimens of such records and material has been granted by the state historic preservation officer. Whenever a request for permission to remove records or material is received, the state historic preservation officer shall notify the affected Indian tribe or tribes.
[ 1985 c 64 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 169 § 6; 1941 c 216 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1941 § 3207-11.]
RCW 27.44.030
(1) Native Indian burial grounds and historic graves are acknowledged to be a finite, irreplaceable, and nonrenewable cultural resource, and are an intrinsic part of the cultural heritage of the people of Washington. The legislature recognizes the value and importance of respecting all graves, and the spiritual significance of such sites to the people of this state;
(2) There have been reports and incidents of deliberate interference with native Indian and historic graves for profit-making motives;
(3) There has been careless indifference in cases of accidental disturbance of sites, graves, and burial grounds;
(4) Indian burial sites, cairns, glyptic markings, and historic graves located on public and private land are to be protected and it is therefore the legislature's intent to encourage voluntary reporting and respectful handling in cases of accidental disturbance and provide enhanced penalties for deliberate desecration.
[ 1989 c 44 § 1.]
RCW 27.44.050
Civil action by Indian tribe or member—Time for commencing action—Venue—Damages—Attorneys' fees.
(1) Apart from any criminal prosecution, an Indian tribe or enrolled member thereof, shall have a civil action to secure an injunction, damages, or other appropriate relief against any person who is alleged to have violated RCW 27.44.040. The action must be brought within two years of the discovery of the violation by the plaintiff. The action may be filed in the superior or tribal court of the county in which the grave, cairn, remains, or artifacts are located, or in the superior court of the county within which the defendant resides.
(2) Any conviction pursuant to RCW 27.44.040 shall be prima facie evidence in an action brought under this section.
(a) The court may award reasonable attorneys' fees to the plaintiff;
(b) The court may grant injunctive or such other equitable relief as is appropriate, including forfeiture of any artifacts or remains acquired or equipment used in the violation. The court shall order the disposition of any items forfeited as the court sees fit, including the reinterment of human remains;
(c) The plaintiff shall recover imputed damages of five hundred dollars or actual damages, whichever is greater. Actual damages include special and general damages, which include damages for emotional distress;
(d) The plaintiff may recover punitive damages upon proof that the violation was willful. Punitive damages may be recovered without proof of actual damages. All punitive damages shall be paid by the defendant to the *office of archaeology and historic preservation for the purposes of Indian historic preservation and to cover the cost of reinterment expenses by the office; and
(e) An award of imputed or punitive damages may be made only once for a particular violation by a particular person, but shall not preclude the award of such damages based on violations by other persons or on other violations.
(4) If the defendant prevails, the court may award reasonable attorneys' fees to the defendant.
[ 1989 c 44 § 3.]
RCW 27.44.055
(1) Any person who discovers skeletal human remains must notify the coroner and local law enforcement in the most expeditious manner possible. Any person knowing of the existence of human remains and not having good reason to believe that the coroner and local law enforcement has notice thereof and who fails to give notice thereof is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(3) The coroner must make a determination whether the skeletal human remains are forensic or nonforensic within five business days of receiving notification of a finding of such remains provided that there is sufficient evidence to make such a determination within that time period. The coroner will retain jurisdiction over forensic remains.
(b) Upon receiving notice from a coroner of a finding of nonforensic skeletal human remains, the department must notify the appropriate local cemeteries, and all affected Indian tribes via certified mail to the head of the appropriate tribal government, and contact the appropriate tribal cultural resources staff within two business days of the finding. The determination of what are appropriate local cemeteries to be notified is at the discretion of the department. A notification to tribes of a finding of nonforensic skeletal human remains does not create a presumption that the remains are Indian.
(c) The state physical anthropologist must make an initial determination of whether nonforensic skeletal human remains are Indian or non-Indian to the extent possible based on the remains within two business days of notification of a finding of such nonforensic remains. If the remains are determined to be Indian, the department must notify all affected Indian tribes via certified mail to the head of the appropriate tribal government within two business days and contact the appropriate tribal cultural resources staff.
[ 2008 c 275 § 2.]
Reporting requirements—2008 c 275: See note following RCW 68.50.645.
RCW 27.44.901
Liberal construction—1989 c 44.
This act is to be liberally construed to achieve the legislature's intent.
[ 1989 c 44 § 11.]