The department shall facilitate the designation of state or federal land for reburial of unmarked remains not claimed by a descendant group and shall:

1. A. by September 1, 2007, organize a working group that includes representatives of the department, the Indian affairs department and the tribal-state workgroup on repatriation and sacred places to:

   1. (1) recommend rules for the acquisition of remains and the maintenance and preservation of the reburial grounds;
   2. (2) distinguish between remains that can be reburied and remains that cannot; and
   3. (3) establish procedures and priorities for reburying remains held in state collections;

2. B. by December 30, 2008, promulgate rules for:

   1. (1) platting remains placed in the reburial grounds and ensuring that the information is confidential pursuant to Section 18-6-11.1 NMSA 1978;
   2. (2) accepting and acquiring remains and coordinating activities with the state historic preservation officer;
   3. (3) preserving the natural environment of the reburial grounds;
   4. (4) distinguishing between remains that can be reburied and those that cannot;
   5. (5) working with descendant groups that request access to the reburial grounds for ceremonies; and
   6. (6) providing for security and confidentiality of the site; and

3. C. by July 1, 2009:

   1. (1) accept the first remains for reburial, including remains currently at the museum of New Mexico, the museum of Indian arts and culture and the department;
   2. (2) begin platting the reburial grounds so that reburied remains are not disturbed by later burials and so that the plat is confidential pursuant to Section 18-6-11.1 NMSA 1978; and
   3. (3) provide security for the reburial grounds.

History: Laws 2007, ch. 299, § 4 and Laws 2007, ch. 300, § 4.

ANNOTATIONS

Cross references. — For the department referred to in this section, see the cultural affairs department, 18-6-6 NMSA 1978.

Compiler’s notes. — Laws 2007, ch. 299, § 4 and Laws 2007, ch. 300, § 4 enacted identical sections, effective June 15, 2007. The section was set out as enacted by Laws 2007, ch. 300, § 4. See 12-1-8 NMSA 1978.