The department shall facilitate the designation of state or federal land for reburial of unmarked remains not claimed by a descendant group and shall:
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) recommend rules for the acquisition of remains and the maintenance and preservation of the reburial grounds;
(2) distinguish between remains that can be reburied and remains that cannot; and
(3) establish procedures and priorities for reburying remains held in state collections;
B. by December 30, 2008, promulgate rules for:
(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) accepting and acquiring remains and coordinating activities with the state historic preservation officer;
(3) preserving the natural environment of the reburial grounds;
(4) distinguishing between remains that can be reburied and those that cannot;
(5) working with descendant groups that request access to the reburial grounds for ceremonies; and
(6) providing for security and confidentiality of the site; and
C. by July 1, 2009:
(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) 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) provide security for the reburial grounds.
History: Laws 2007, ch. 299, § 4 and Laws 2007, ch. 300, § 4.
ANNOTATIONSCross 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.