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H.R. 1338 (114th): Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015

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The text of the bill below is as of Nov 17, 2015 (Referred to Senate Committee). The bill was not enacted into law.

IIB

114th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1338

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 17, 2015

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

AN ACT

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015.

2.

Department of Veterans Affairs study on matters relating to burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries

(a)

Study and report required

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—

(1)

complete a study on matters relating to the interring of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration; and

(2)

submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study required under paragraph (1).

(b)

Matters studied

The matters studied under subsection (a)(1) shall include the following:

(1)

Determining the scope of issues relating to unclaimed remains of veterans, including an estimate of the number of unclaimed remains of veterans.

(2)

Assessing the effectiveness of the procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs for working with persons or entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate interment of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration.

(3)

Assessing State and local laws that affect the ability of the Secretary to inter unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration.

(4)

Developing recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(c)

Methodology

(1)

Number of unclaimed remains

In estimating the number of unclaimed remains of veterans under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may review such subset of applicable entities as the Secretary considers appropriate, including a subset of funeral homes and coroner offices that possess unclaimed veterans remains.

(2)

Assessment of State and local laws

In assessing State and local laws under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may assess such sample of applicable State and local laws as the Secretary considers appropriate in lieu of reviewing all applicable State and local laws.

3.

Limitation on awards and bonuses paid to senior executive employees of Department of Veterans Affairs

Section 705 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 703 note) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: , of which, during fiscal year 2016, not more than an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 may be paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are members of the Senior Executive Service..

Passed the House of Representatives November 16, 2015.

Karen L. Haas,

Clerk