[§662D-5]  Limited liability for maintaining or repairing cemetery grounds.  (a)  An individual volunteer who maintains or repairs cemetery grounds located in the State without compensation, including cemeteries operated for profit pursuant to chapter 441, shall not be liable to any person for injury or damage sustained as a result of the actions of the volunteer to maintain or repair the cemetery grounds, except for injury or damages resulting from gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 662D-5

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Nonprofit corporation: means any corporation that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 662D-1
  • Nonprofit organization: means any organization that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 662D-1
  • Volunteer: means a person performing services without compensation, other than reimbursement for actual expenses incurred, for a nonprofit organization, a nonprofit corporation, a hospital, or a governmental entity. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 662D-1

     (b)  A nonprofit organization, nonprofit corporation, or other entity that provides volunteers to maintain or repair cemetery grounds located in the State, including cemeteries operated for profit pursuant to chapter 441, shall not be liable to any person for injury or damages sustained as a result of the actions of a volunteer provided by the organization, corporation, or entity to maintain or repair the cemetery grounds, except for injury or damages resulting from gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

     (c)  This section does not relieve any cemetery property owner or cemetery authority from compliance with chapter 441, or from the duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition.

     (d)  A volunteer providing services under this section for a nonprofit organization, nonprofit corporation, or other entity may only receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred that have been authorized for payment by the nonprofit organization, nonprofit corporation, or other entity.

     (e)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or permit the use of perpetual care funds for the purposes of reimbursing costs incurred pursuant to this section.

     (f)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, actions of a volunteer in conformance with this section shall not require licensure under chapter 441; provided that maintenance and repair activities covered under this section shall be limited to general maintenance, care, and preservation of cemeteries, including keeping sod or grass in repair and caring for trees and shrubs, but shall not include activities related to burials.

     (g)  For purposes of this section, a volunteer may provide maintenance and repair services as an individual and not as a member or affiliate of a cemetery authority, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit organization, or other entity, if the volunteer:

     (1)  First obtains written approval from the cemetery owner or cemetery authority, if one can be identified; and

     (2)  Does not receive compensation or reimbursement for any expenses other than actual expenses incurred for maintenance and repair of the cemetery grounds.