THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2589
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO BURIAL SITES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is necessary to reflect the seriousness of the act of disturbing human remains from burial sites without consent.

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to increase the penalty for the desecration of burial sites from a misdemeanor to a felony to deter potential violators from harming burial sites.

SECTION 2. Section 6E-72, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) Taking, appropriation, excavation, injury, destruction, or alteration of a burial site is a [misdemeanor] felony for which a fine not to exceed $25,000 [may] shall be imposed, in addition to any other penalty authorized by chapter 706 for a [misdemeanor] felony."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

State Historic Preservation Division; Burial Sites; Penalties

Description:

Increases the penalty for the desecration of Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian burial sites from a misdemeanor to a felony.

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