II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3202 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 17, 2012 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Nelson of Florida, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 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 may 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 in any case in which the Secretary— (1)is unable to identify the veteran's next of kin, if any; and (2)determines that sufficient resources for the furnishing of a casket or urn for the burial of the veteran in a national cemetery are not otherwise available. ; 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.

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.