The bill amends Section 704.08 of the Florida Statutes to enhance access rights to abandoned cemeteries located on private property. It establishes that relatives and descendants of individuals buried in these cemeteries have an easement for ingress and egress for visiting, maintenance, research, and conducting non-invasive searches. The bill specifies that if a cemetery is abandoned, relatives can request maintenance from the landowner, and if the owner fails to comply, they have the right to maintain the cemetery themselves.

Additionally, the bill mandates that if credible evidence indicates the presence of an abandoned cemetery on or adjacent to private land, the state must be granted an easement for ingress and egress. This easement allows the state to maintain the cemetery and conduct research, provided that reasonable notice is given to the landowner. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1577 Filed: 704.08