Bill > H3597

This bill aims to protect Native American heritage by establishing legal provisions for the handling of culturally significant items. It defines key terms using definitions from the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), including "Native American," "funerary objects," "sacred objects," and "objects of cultural patrimony." The bill mandates that any agency, organization, entity, department, trust, nonprofit corporation, or public charity receiving funds from the Commonwealth or local governments must adhere to the penalties and requirements of NAGPRA when seeking to deacquisition (remove from their collection) Native American funerary objects, human remains, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony. This provision ensures that culturally significant items are treated with respect and that the potential removal of such items is subject to strict federal guidelines, thereby protecting the cultural heritage and dignity of Native American communities.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3597