STATE AND TRIBAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS
(as of February 2005)
Date Enacted: Antiquities Act, 1974, amended 1988; Cemeteries Act amended 1992
Summary: Rhode Island protects Native American burials under its Cemeteries Act which places responsibility for protecting and, if necessary, altering or moving historic cemeteries with the local municipality. If human graves are discovered, the Historic Preservation Commission must be notified. No provisions are detailed requiring coordination, notification or consultation with Native American tribes. Other archaeological sites and resources are protected under the state’s antiquities act which manages sites on state lands and in state waters. The statute also requires that the state be notified if sites are located on private land. The State Historic Preservation Commission is authorized to issue excavation permits.
Online State Law Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/statutes/
Permitting: State Historic Preservation Commission issues permits.
Penalties: Fines between $100-$500 and/or imprisonment between 60 days to 6 months.
Review/Consultation Committee: Not specified.
Indian Affairs Office/Department:
Tribal Websites:
Resources: Antiquities Act (RI Gen. Laws §42-45-1-1, et seq.); Cemeteries (RI Gen. Laws §23-18-2.1, et seq.).
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