Sec. 3. A person who:

(1) discovers or handles human remains when it appears the deceased person died:

Attorney's Note

Under the Indiana Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class A misdemeanorup to 1 yearup to $5,000
For details, see Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2
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Terms Used In Indiana Code 35-45-19-3

  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • human remains: means any part of the body of a deceased human being in any stage of decomposition or state of preservation. See Indiana Code 35-45-19-1.5
  • public safety officer: means :

    Indiana Code 35-45-19-2

(A) by violence, suicide, or accident;

(B) suddenly, while in apparent good health;

(C) while unattended;

(D) from poisoning or an overdose of drugs;

(E) as the result of a disease that may constitute a threat to public health;

(F) as the result of:

(i) a disease;

(ii) an injury;

(iii) a toxic effect; or

(iv) unusual exertion;

incurred within the scope of the deceased person’s employment;

(G) due to sudden infant death syndrome;

(H) as the result of a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure; or

(I) under any other suspicious or unusual circumstances; and

(2) knowingly or intentionally fails to report the discovery or handling of the human remains to a:

(A) public safety officer;

(B) coroner;

(C) funeral director;

(D) physician; or

(E) 911 telephone call center;

within three (3) hours after finding the human remains;

commits failure to report the discovery or handling of human remains, a Class A misdemeanor.

As added by P.L.68-2008, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.47-2019, SEC.4.