The proposed bill establishes regulations for the creation and management of family burial grounds on privately owned property in Washington State. It allows individuals to designate areas of their land as family burial grounds with the written consent of co-owners, if applicable. The bill outlines requirements for establishing these burial grounds, including setbacks from property boundaries and critical areas, size restrictions, and compliance with local building and health laws for any mausoleum or columbarium. It also mandates property owners to report interments to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and to disclose the existence of family burial grounds when selling the property. Notably, family burial grounds will not be exempt from taxation, unlike traditional cemeteries.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new seller disclosure statement format that requires sellers to provide detailed information about the property, including whether it contains a family burial ground, mausoleum, or columbarium. The statement must be completed without any blank spaces and delivered within five business days after a purchase contract is mutually accepted. It clarifies that the disclosures are based on the seller's actual knowledge and do not represent any real estate licensee. The bill also mandates the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to develop rules for permits related to the disinterment of human remains from family burial grounds, with the new regulations taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 7.80.120, 68.04.060, 68.04.080, 68.04.100, 68.05.400, 68.20.010, 68.20.140, 68.50.130, 84.36.020
Substitute bill: 7.80.120, 68.04.060, 68.04.080, 68.04.100, 68.05.400, 68.20.010, 68.20.140, 68.50.130, 84.36.020
Bill as passed Legislature: 7.80.120, 68.04.060, 68.04.080, 68.04.100, 68.05.400, 68.20.010, 68.20.140, 68.50.130, 84.36.020
Session law: 7.80.120, 68.04.060, 68.04.080, 68.04.100, 68.05.400, 68.20.010, 68.20.140, 68.50.130, 84.36.020