§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.

(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. [L 2018, c 193, §2]

Note

Director of commerce and consumer affairs to develop short-term and long-term strategies for the upkeep, repair, and maintenance of Sunset Memorial Park; report to 2019 legislature. L 2018, c 193, §3.