Authority: IC 14-21-1-25; IC 14-21-1-31

Affected: IC 14-21-1

Sec. 2. (a) A scientific investigation must be carried out under the direction of a principal investigator where any of the following conditions are present:

1. (1) The investigation must be conducted to satisfy a state or federal law other than this article.
2. (2) The investigation will be conducted on a property owned or leased by the state or one (1) of its agencies.
3. (3) The investigation will be funded in whole or in part by the state.
4. (4) The investigation will be conducted on a site that is listed on or eligible for listing on the state register of historic sites and structures or the National Register of Historic Places.
5. (5) The investigation is likely to result in the discovery of buried human remains.

(b) A participant in an investigation or scientific investigation who has a supervisory or decision making responsibility must adhere to a code of conduct that does each of the following:

1. (1) Promotes the scientific investigation and conservation of past cultures so the investigation is conducted in the interests of qualified research, environmental review, or historic preservation review related compliance, or site management or protection.
2. (2) Demonstrates sensitivity for treating other human beings with respect and dignity.
3. (3) Considers the interest and expertise of amateur archaeologists and professional archaeologists.

(c) A scientific investigation that is approved by the division as part of a federal or state environmental review requirement does not require a separate permit under this article. This subsection does not relieve a person of the responsibility for reporting and responding under IC 14-21-1 and this article to any accidental discovery.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 22-3-2; filed Jun 21, 2001, 2:35 p.m.: 24 IR 3379; readopted filed Jul 19, 2007, 12:30 p.m.: 20070808-IR-312070192RFA; readopted filed Sep 19, 2013, 10:16 a.m.: 20131016-IR-312130184RFA; readopted filed Mar 26, 2019, 3:39 p.m.: 20190424-IR-312190004RFA; readopted filed Mar 25, 2025, 9:50 a.m.: 20250423-IR-312240574RFA)