Seattle Mun. Code § 14.14.010 Commercial Display of Human Remains
14.14.010 - Commercial Display of Human Remains
A. It shall be unlawful to display to the public human remains for consideration or commercial purposes without valid written authorization from the deceased, which consent may be given in the last will of the deceased, or by a person who has the right to control the disposition of the remains pursuant to Ch. 68.50 RCW or Ch. 68.64 RCW, or any successor legislation. The Director of Financial and Administrative Services or the Director's designee shall determine the adequacy of the documentation offered to establish consent.
B. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the display of human remains:
(1) More than 100 years old;
(2) Consisting solely of human teeth or hair;
(3) As part of the ordinary display or viewing of the deceased at a funeral establishment licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing, or as part of a similar funeral or memorial service; or,
(4) As objects of religious veneration.
C. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that human remains in the possession of an institution accredited by the American Association of Museums or in the possession of a museum facility of an accredited college or university are held in compliance with this Section.
D. Violation of this Section shall be a civil infraction as contemplated by RCW Chapter 7.80 and subject as a Class 1 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120(2) to a maximum monetary penalty and a default amount of $250.00 plus statutory assessments. Each day of noncompliance shall be a separate violation, and the monetary penalties shall accumulate.
E. The City Attorney may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a continuing violation of this Section.
F. As used in this section, "commercial purposes" includes any display for which the public is charged a fee or other consideration.
(Ord. 123356, § 2, 2010.)