AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNMARKED HUMAN BURIALS AND SKELETAL REMAINS.

This Act would revise the definition of Committee to include the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware in the body that determines the treatment and disposition of Native American unmarked burials and human skeletal remains. This Act would also add a new definition of a Committee convened by the Director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs to address discoveries of non-Native American unmarked burials and human skeletal remains, including those of enslaved individuals and undetermined cultural affiliation. This Act also adds new definitions for “lineal descendant” and “proven kinship” to replace the undefined term “next of kin.” This Act would also clarify responsibilities of various parties and encourage preservation of unmarked burials in place, consistent with the purposes of the Chapter. This Act would make failure to report a discovery of remains a prohibited act. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual and removes erroneous references to “subchapter.”