AB 978, Steinberg. Native American graves protection and repatriation.

Existing law contains provisions regarding the regulation of human remains disposal and burials.

This bill, the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001, would require all state agencies and museums that receive state funding and that have possession or control over collections of human remains or cultural items, as defined, to complete an inventory and summary of these remains and items on or before January 1, 2003, with certain exceptions, would provide a process for the identification and repatriation of these items to the appropriate tribes, and would authorize the imposition of civil penalties for failure to comply with the requirements of this bill. The bill would also establish the Repatriation Oversight Commission, composed of 10 members, with specified duties relating to the repatriation process.