House Bill No. by Representative Zeringue aims to amend and reenact specific provisions of R.S. 29:726.4 concerning cemetery emergency assistance and disaster relief in Louisiana. The bill establishes the "Louisiana Cemetery Response Task Force," which is tasked with assessing the response and recovery needs related to cemeteries during state or parish emergency declarations. Key amendments include the ability for other state authorities to appoint representatives to the task force, the requirement for the task force to submit preliminary assessments of cemetery impacts within seventy-two hours of activation, and the provision for ongoing updates to these assessments.

Additionally, the bill outlines the powers and duties of the task force, which include determining the necessity of response efforts, coordinating with various agencies and organizations, and advising on public health concerns related to disinterred remains. Notably, the task force is granted the authority to access both public and private property to address health and safety risks, direct deviations from existing repair requirements, and file lawsuits for recovery of federal funds. The bill also includes provisions for the permanent archiving of identification records and the activation of the task force for cold cases or mass fatality events, emphasizing its comprehensive role in cemetery disaster response and recovery.

Statutes affected:
HB772 Original: 29:4(A)
HB772 Engrossed: 29:4(A)
HB772 Reengrossed: 29:4(A)
HB772 Enrolled: 29:4(A)