(a) A person is guilty of interference with a cemetery or burial ground when such person: (1) Intentionally destroys, mutilates, defaces, injures or removes any tomb, monument, gravestone or other structure placed or designed for a memorial of the dead, or any portion or fragment of such tomb, monument, gravestone or other structure, or any fence, railing, curb or other enclosure for the burial of the dead, in or from any cemetery or burial ground that is (A) an abandoned cemetery, as defined in section 19a-308a, or (B) a cemetery or burial ground other than an abandoned cemetery and such person takes any such action without authorization of the owner of the burial lot, or a lineal descendant of the deceased, or of the municipality, cemetery association or person or authority responsible for the control or management of the cemetery or burial ground; or (2) wantonly or maliciously disturbs the contents of any tomb or grave in any cemetery or burial ground that is (A) an abandoned cemetery, as defined in section 19a-308a, or (B) a cemetery or burial ground other than an abandoned cemetery and such person takes any such action without authorization of the owner of the burial lot, or a lineal descendant of the deceased, or of the municipality, cemetery association or person or authority responsible for the control or management of the cemetery or burial ground.

(b) Interference with a cemetery or burial ground is a class C felony and any person found guilty under this section shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars.

(P.A. 84-280, S. 4; P.A. 89-109; P.A. 96-209, S. 2; P.A. 17-49, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 89-109 established a minimum fine of $500; P.A. 96-209 amended Subsec. (b) by changing penalty from class D to class C felony; P.A. 17-49 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subpara. (A) re abandoned cemeteries and designating existing provision re action without authorization of owner or lineal descendant applicable to cemeteries and burial grounds other than an abandoned cemetery as Subpara. (B), and making technical and conforming changes.