§ 21-1168.4 — Discovery of human remains or burial furniture -

Oklahoma § 21-1168.4

• Jurisdiction: Oklahoma
• Title 21: Crimes And Punishments

Text

Reporting and notification procedure. A. All persons who encounter or discover human skeletal remains or what they believe may be human skeletal remains or burial furniture thought to be associated with human burials in or on the ground shall immediately cease any activity which may cause further disturbance and shall report the presence and location of such human skeletal remains to an appropriate law enforcement officer. B. Any person who willfully fails to report the presence or discovery of human skeletal remains or what they believe may be human skeletal remains within forty-eight (48) hours to an appropriate law enforcement officer in the county in which the remains are found shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. C. Any person who knowingly disturbs human skeletal remains or burial furniture other than a law enforcement officer, registered mortician, a representative of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, a professional archaeologist or physical anthropologist, or other officials designated by law in performance of official duties shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class D3 felony offense and shall be punished by imprisonment as provided for in subsections B through F of Section 20P of this title. D. Anyone other than a law enforcement officer, registered mortician, a representative of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, a professional archaeologist or physical anthropologist, or other officials designated by law in performance of official duties, who disturbs or permits disturbance of a burial ground with the intent to obtain human skeletal remains or burial furniture shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class D3 felony offense and shall be punished by imprisonment as provided for in subsections B through F of Section 20P of this title. E. The law enforcement officer, if there is a reason to believe that the skeletal remains may be human, shall promptly notify the landowner and the Chief Medical Examiner. If remains reported under this act are not associated with or suspected of association with any crime, the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer shall be notified within fifteen (15) days. If review by the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer of the human skeletal remains and any burial furniture demonstrates or suggests a direct historical relationship to a tribal group, then the State Archaeologist shall: 1. Notify the State Historic Preservation Officer; and 2. Consult with the tribal leader, designated by the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, within fifteen (15) days regarding any proposed treatment or scientific studies and final disposition of the materials.

Legislative History

Added by Laws 1987, c. 204, § 16, operative July 1, 1987. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 304, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2025, c. 486, § 678, eff. Jan. 1, 2026. NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 304 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.