Ran across a very interesting press release from back on May 25, 1999 that
merits re-reading. Anyone on the list know Rep. Dennie Oxley?
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"State Rep. Dennie Oxley's (D-Milltown) cemetery protection legislation
becomes law"
http://www.IN.gov/legislative/hdpr/R73_05251999.html
INDIANAPOLIS - Historic cemeteries in Indiana will have greater protection,
thanks to legislation co-authored by State Rep. Dennie Oxley (D-Milltown) that
will become law July 1.
Gov. Frank O'Bannon recently signed House Enrolled Act 1522, which updates a
number of provisions regarding Indiana cemeteries.
"Many people throughout Indiana have become justifiably concerned about how
easy it is for landowners and developers to move or destroy historic
cemeteries," Oxley said. "Each time this is done, a little bit of our history
is taken away. This new legislation should help preserve these memorial
grounds and ensure that our ancestors' remains continue to be treated with
respect and dignity."
House Enrolled Act 1522 takes a number of steps designed to preserve
cemeteries. It creates a crime of cemetery mischief, a Class A misdemeanor,
for persons who disturb, deface or damage certain cemetery items. It provides
that who disturbs the earth for agricultural uses is not exempt from
committing cemetery mischief. The legislation also requires that those who
lawfully remove a grave memorial must file certain information with the county
recorder.
"These are some preliminary steps toward providing protection for our
cemeteries, but they are important ones," Oxley said. "Under existing law,
there really is nothing that prevents a farmer or landowner or developer from
uprooting an old cemetery and moving the remains to another location. These
steps will make it more difficult to do so, and will ensure that a record of
such movements is kept so that families will still be able to find out about
the final resting places of their ancestors.
"I anticipate that we will be taking further steps to protect our cemeteries
in future legislative sessions," he added. "A study committee is expected to
examine the issue of cemetery preservation this summer, and the odds are very
good that legislation will be formulated following that study."
Rep. Oxley's webpage and e-mail form can be found at:
http://www.IN.gov/legislative/house_democrats/repsites/r73/