I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6073 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 29, 2012 Mr. Bilirakis (for himself, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Nugent, Mr. Young of Florida, Mr. Mack, Mr. Ross of Florida, and Ms. Castor of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that deceased veterans with no known next of kin can receive a dignified burial, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Dignified Burial of Veterans Act of 2012.
2.
Furnishing caskets and urns for deceased veterans with no known next of kin
(a)
In general
Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively; (2)by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection (f): (f)The Secretary shall furnish a casket or urn, of such quality as the Secretary considers appropriate for a dignified burial, for burial in a national cemetery of a deceased veteran described in section 2414(b) of this title. ; and (3)in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)A casket or urn may not be furnished under subsection (f) for burial of a person described in section 2411(b) of this title. . (b)
Effective date
Subsections (f) and (h)(4) of section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after such date.
3.
Improved communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors
(a)
In general
Chapter 24 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
2414.
Communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors
(a)
Required information
With respect to each deceased veteran described in subsection (b) who is transported to a national cemetery for burial, the Secretary shall ensure that the local medical examiner, funeral director, county service group, or other entity responsible for the body of the deceased veteran before such transportation submits to the Secretary the following information: (1)Whether the deceased veteran was cremated. (2)The steps taken to ensure that the deceased veteran has no next of kin. (b)
Deceased veteran described
A deceased veteran described in this subsection is a deceased veteran whom the Secretary determines— (1)that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of the deceased veteran; and (2)does not have sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral expenses. (c)
Determination of sufficient resources
If the Secretary is unable to make a reasonable determination of the amount of the resources of a deceased veteran under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall deem such resources to be an amount that is not sufficient to cover burial and funeral expenses.
. (b)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2413 the following new item: 2414. Communication between Department of Veterans Affairs and medical examiners and funeral directors. . (c)
Effective date
Section 2414 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
4.
Report on compliance of Department of Veterans Affairs with industry standards for caskets and urns
(a)
In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the compliance of the Department of Veterans Affairs with industry standards for caskets and urns. (b)
Elements
The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1)A description of industry standards for caskets and urns. (2)An assessment of compliance with such standards at National Cemeteries administered by the Department with respect to caskets and urns used for the interment of those eligible for burial at such cemeteries.