Bill > S1629

This bill addresses the issue of theft and illegal trade of cemetery-related items by making it a criminal offense to possess, sell, transfer, or dispose of any memorial structure or cemetery-related objects (such as gravestones, monuments, markers, fences, gates, or plot delineators) when the person knows or has reasonable cause to know that the item was unlawfully removed from a cemetery or burial ground. The legislation aims to protect the sanctity of burial sites and prevent the theft or unauthorized removal of memorial structures, which can cause significant emotional distress to families and communities. By establishing clear legal prohibitions against possessing or trading in stolen cemetery items, the bill seeks to deter grave theft and preserve the dignity of memorial spaces.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1629