§ 25:955 — Penalties

§955. Penalties
A.(1) A first offense violation of this Chapter shall be punishable upon conviction
by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisonment, with or without hard labor,
for not more than one year, or both.
(2) Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, each violation shall be
punishable by imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years, or a
fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or both.
(3) Each item of human remains in possession or trade shall constitute a separate
offense.
B. The attorney general may institute civil proceedings seeking injunctive relief to
restrain and prevent violations of this Chapter.
C. The attorney general may institute civil proceedings seeking civil damages from
any person who knowingly violates any provision of this Chapter. Civil damages shall
include any or all of the following:
(1) Forfeiture of any and all equipment used in obtaining the human remains.
(2) Any and all costs incurred in cleaning, restoring, analyzing, accessioning, and
curating the recovered human remains.
(3) Any and all costs associated with the reinterment of the human remains.
(4) Any and all costs associated with determining and collecting civil damages,
including but not limited to filing fees, attorney fees, court costs, fees associated with
discovery and the testimony of expert witnesses, and collection costs.
D. The attorney general may bring actions for injunctive relief or civil damages in
either the district court for the parish of East Baton Rouge or in the district court where the
burial site, the human skeletal remains, or other body parts, or the burial artifacts are located.

Legislative History

Acts 2016, No. 531, §1, eff. June 17, 2016.