I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4913 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 26, 2012 Mr. Coffman of Colorado (for himself and Mr. Cooper) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require designated military command responsibility and accountability for the care, handling, and transportation of the remains of a deceased member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who died overseas, from the place of death, through the defense mortuary system, until the remains are accepted by the member’s next of kin, in order to ensure that the deceased member is treated with dignity, honor, and respect.

1.

Continuous military chain of custody over treatment and transportation of remains of deceased members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps who died overseas

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that there is continuous, designated military command responsibility and accountability for the care, handling, and transportation of the remains of each deceased member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who died overseas, beginning with the initial recovery of the remains, through the defense mortuary system, until the interment of the remains or the remains are otherwise accepted by the person designated as provided by section 1482(c) of title 10, United States Code, to direct disposition of the remains.