VA HB1237

Allows adjacent landowners or nonprofit organizations to petition circuit court for an exclusive license to maintain abandoned or neglected graveyards when the owner is unknown or cannot be found

Permitted maintenance activities include mowing, weeding, tree trimming, headstone repair, installing replacement memorials, replacing fencing, developing preservation plans, and identifying unmarked graves through ground penetrating radar

Petitioners must demonstrate good faith effort to locate the owner and publish notice in a local newspaper once weekly for two consecutive weeks at least 20 days before the court hearing

Court may grant maintenance licenses for up to five years, with indefinite renewal options available through subsequent petitions

Original graveyard owners may petition to terminate the license if they come forward, and are granted immunity from civil liability for actions taken by the licensee absent gross negligence or willful misconduct