CHAPTER 68. CARE OF CEMETERIES BY TOWNSHIPS

IC 23-14-68
     Chapter 68. Care of Cemeteries by Townships

IC 23-14-68-1
Application of chapter
    
Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies to each cemetery that:
        (1) is without funds for maintenance;
        (2) was in existence on February 28, 1939; and
        (3) is operated by a nonprofit organization or is not managed by any viable organization.
    (b) This chapter does not apply to a cemetery located on land on which property taxes are assessed and paid under IC 6-1.1-4.
As added by P.L.52-1997, SEC.42.

IC 23-14-68-2
Township trustee locating and maintaining cemeteries
    
Sec. 2. The trustee of each township shall locate and maintain all the cemeteries described in section 1(a) of this chapter that are within the township. However, a cemetery association claiming assistance under this chapter shall furnish a verified statement of assets and liabilities to the township trustee.
As added by P.L.52-1997, SEC.42.

IC 23-14-68-3
Maintenance of cemeteries
    
Sec. 3. For the purposes of this chapter, the maintenance of a cemetery includes the following:
        (1) Resetting and straightening all monuments.
        (2) Leveling and seeding the ground.
        (3) Constructing fences where there are none and repairing existing fences.
        (4) Destroying and cleaning up detrimental plants (as defined in IC 15-16-8-1), noxious weeds, and rank vegetation.
As added by P.L.52-1997, SEC.42. Amended by P.L.2-2008, SEC.48.

IC 23-14-68-4
Appropriations for care and maintenance; cemetery tax
    
Sec. 4. (a) The township shall appropriate enough money to provide for the care, repair, and maintenance of each cemetery described in section 1(a) of this chapter that is located within the township. Funds shall be appropriated under this subsection in the same manner as other township appropriations.
    (b) The township may levy a township cemetery tax to create a fund for maintenance of cemeteries under this chapter. If a fund has not been provided for maintenance of cemeteries under this chapter, part of the township fund may be used.
As added by P.L.52-1997, SEC.42.

IC 23-14-68-5
Trustee's failure to perform duties      Sec. 5. A township trustee who fails to perform the trustee's duties under this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.52-1997, SEC.42.