Fines for violating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGRPA) are being adjusted for inflation thanks to the 2015 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act. As its name implies, the 2015 Act requires Federal agencies to adjust penalties based on inflation. Agencies initially have to make a “catchup” adjustment after which they are required to adjust penalties annually so that fines remain deterrents of bad behavior.
Effective February 16, 2017, Museums failing to comply with NAGPRA will face a $6,533 fine plus an additional $1,307 fine per day of non-compliance. Prior to the 2015 Act fines were $5,000 and $1,000 respectively.
The March, the Hashtag, and the Culture of Protest
Bored Archaeologist
