[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2244 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2244

     To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist in the 
identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if 
 any such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 28, 2012

Mr. Portman (for himself and Mr. Begich) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assist in the 
identification of unclaimed and abandoned human remains to determine if 
 any such remains are eligible for burial in a national cemetery, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Missing in America Act of 
2012''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    Congress recognizes the tireless work and dedication of the members 
of the Missing in America Project, in conjunction with numerous 
veterans service organizations, in identifying the unclaimed remains of 
veterans.

SEC. 3. IDENTIFICATION OF UNCLAIMED AND ABANDONED HUMAN REMAINS.

    (a) Identification of Unclaimed or Abandoned Human Remains.--The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall cooperate with veterans service 
organizations to assist entities in possession of unclaimed or 
abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are the 
remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a 
national cemetery.
    (b) Burial of Unclaimed or Abandoned Human Remains.--If the 
Secretary determines that any unclaimed or abandoned human remains are 
the remains of a person who is eligible for burial in an open national 
cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration 
under section 2402 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary shall 
provide for the burial of the remains and cover the cost of the burial 
of the remains and the cost of preparing the remains and transporting 
them to the place of burial, if the Secretary determines, with respect 
to the remains--
            (1) that there is no next of kin or other person claiming 
        the remains; and
            (2) that there are not available other sufficient resources 
        to cover burial and funeral expenses.
    (c) Creation of National Database.--The Secretary shall establish a 
database in which the Secretary shall enter the names of any veteran or 
other individual identified pursuant to subsection (a). The Secretary 
shall ensure that the database is publicly accessible.
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