MD SB234

Governmental units may acquire abandoned cemetery properties through condemnation proceedings under Maryland Rule 12-204, with the intent to transfer ownership to descendants of those interred, descendant community organizations, or nonprofit organizations.

After acquiring an abandoned cemetery property, governmental units must make timely and reasonable efforts to contact descendants of deceased persons interred in the cemetery to identify potential transferees.

Descendants, descendant community organizations, or nonprofits may bring court actions to request transfer of acquired cemetery property to themselves; recipients must maintain and preserve the abandoned cemetery.

If a governmental unit cannot transfer the property within a reasonable time, it must maintain and preserve the cemetery and may facilitate reinterment of human or pet remains to an operational cemetery.

Effective date: October 1, 2026.