DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 772 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Zeringue
Abstract: Provides relative to cemetery emergency assistance and disaster relief.
Present law provides for the Statewide Cemetery Response Task Force.
Proposed law changes the name of the task force.
Present law provides relative to members of the task force and the appointment of a chairperson.
Proposed law adds that upon approval of the task force, any other state authority may appoint a
representative as a member of the task force. The appointing authority of such entity shall make the
appointment. Provides further that each member may appoint a designee who shall have all the
rights and privileges as a member of the task force when acting in such capacity.
Present law provides relative to the powers and duties of the task force.
Present law provides that the task force shall advise the director of the Governor's Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness of any public health or other concerns related to
disinterred remains for which the person responsible for disposition cannot be located.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that the La. Dept. of Health, office of public health shall
be advised of any public health or other concerns related to disinterred remains for which the person
responsible for disposition cannot be located.
Proposed law provides exemptions to the task force relative to the vital records registry.
Proposed law requires that the task force be subject to the confidentiality mandates relative to the
La. Repository for Unidentified and Missing Persons Information Program.
Proposed law requires the task force to retain and test materials relative to autopsies or any successor
law thereof, pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction or to consent to right of
disposing of remains in present law.
Proposed law provides the task force discretion to direct deviations from requirements to repair and
restore grave spaces or wall vaults to original condition in present law.
Proposed law provides the task force a right of action and a cause of action to file suit in its own name against private parties for the recovery of federal cemetery recovery funds not allocated
according to federal law, regulation, and policy and against individuals or juridical persons for
specific performance of the recovery and repair work for which they received such funds.
Proposed law authorizes the task force to draft and pass regulations to effectuate the provisions of
proposed law.
Proposed law requires the task force to provide for the permanent archiving of its final identification
records.
Proposed law authorizes the task force to be activated at the discretion of its chairman to direct or
supplement efforts in the search for human remains associated with cold case disinterments and mass
fatality events if requested by a state, local, or tribal governmental agency and approved by the
director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Proposed law authorizes the task force to access both public and private property to abate public
health and safety risks posed by human remains, caskets, or burial vaults located thereon and to
remove such hazards from both public and private property.
Proposed law authorizes the task force to access both public and private property to reinter or direct
the reinterment of human remains, caskets, or burial vaults to their original resting place in order to
mitigate risks to human health and safety.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 29:726.4(A), (C), (E), and (F))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Add provisions relative to members of the task force and the appointment of a
chairperson.
3. Add that the La. Dept. of Health, office of public health shall be advised of any public
health or other concerns related to disinterred remains.
4. Add provisions relative to the powers and duties of the task force.
5. Remove provisions relative to authorizing the task force at the discretion of the chairman.