KRS 422.132: Presumption of death following catastrophic event -- Declaration -- Death

certificate -- Attorney General.

(1) A resident or nonresident of this Commonwealth who is exposed to a specific event

which has been declared a disaster or emergency pursuant t o KRS Chapter 39A and

which is certified by the Governor as a catastrophic event that has resulted in the

loss of life to persons known or unknown and whose absence following that event is

not satisfactorily explained after diligent search or inquiry is pr esumed to be dead.

The death is presumed to have occurred at the time of the catastrophic event.

(2) A District Court may declare the absent person dead, if it is satisfied that the

absentee should be presumed dead under the provisions of subsection (1) of this

section. A declaration with respect to a nonresident shall affect only property

located within the Commonwealth.

(3) At the request of an applicant who has obtained a declaration based upon subsection

(1) of this section, the court shall order the re gistrar of vital statistics to issue, at no

cost to the applicant, a death certificate. The state registrar may indicate on the

certificate that it was issued to court order in accordance with this section.

(4) The Attorney General may initiate or intervene in any proceedings or action brought

pursuant to this section, including a class action law suit, on behalf of the citizens of

the Commonwealth to seek a declaration of death of an absentee under subsection

(1) of this section.