I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2848 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 7, 2011 Mr. Poe of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To provide for certain requirements of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to funeral and memorial services for deceased veterans, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Religious Freedom Act.

2.

Requirement of Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to funeral and memorial services for deceased veterans

(a)

Provision of options to family members of deceased

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the family members of each veteran who is buried in a national cemetery or eligible for burial benefits under chapter 23 of title 38, United States Code, are informed of all options available for the funeral or memorial service for the veteran. (b)

Cemetery director requirement

(1)

In general

Except as provided by paragraph (2), by not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the director of each national cemetery is a qualified veteran. (2)

Exception

If the Secretary determines that the Secretary is unable to hire a qualified veteran to be the director of a national cemetery, the Secretary shall— (A)notify the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives of such determination; and (B)after making such notification, hire a qualified non-veteran individual to act as interim director of the national cemetery until the date on which the Secretary is able to hire a qualified veteran for such position. (c)

Religious speech at veteran funerals

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not— (1)prescribe regulations to censor or otherwise limit the type of religious speech that may be performed by a member of a veterans service organization at the funeral or memorial service of a veteran; or (2)censor or otherwise limit the type of religious speech of private speakers who have been invited to speak on property of the Department of Veterans Affairs.