Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries

(a)

Study and report required

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—(1)complete a study on matters relating to the interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and(2)submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required under paragraph (1).(b)

Matters studied

The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following:(1)Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of unclaimed remains of veterans.(2)Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration.(3)Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration.(4)Developing recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate.(c)

Methodology

(1)

Number of unclaimed remains

In estimating the number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans remains.(2)

Assessment of State and local laws

In assessing State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applicable State and local laws.