The bill establishes a legal framework for the disposition of abandoned lots in public cemeteries in Montana. A lot may be deemed abandoned if it has not been used for interment for 75 years or more and there has been no contact with the owner or heirs during that time. Individuals can petition the cemetery administrator for a finding of abandonment, which requires detailed information about the lot and efforts made to locate the owner or heirs. Upon receiving a petition, the cemetery administrator is required to publish a notice regarding the petition, detailing the lot's location and ownership information, and inviting claims from any potential owners.

The bill also outlines the process for handling claims from owners, heirs, or assignees who may come forward after the notice is published. If no claims are made, the lot is considered legally abandoned, allowing the petitioner to purchase it. Notably, the bill includes exceptions for lots designated for veteran burials and those containing buried human remains, as well as clarifying that it does not apply to privately owned cemeteries unless they choose to adopt these procedures. The bill modifies existing legal language regarding the publication of notices, specifying different requirements based on the ownership of the cemetery.