II
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 598
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 28, 2019
Mr. Peters (for himself 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 increase certain funeral benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Burial Rights for America’s Veterans’ Efforts Act of 2019
or the BRAVE Act of 2019
.
Increase to certain funeral benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Funeral expenses
Section 2302(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in the matter after paragraph (2)(B), by striking $300
and inserting $780 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c))
; and
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the maximum amount of burial and funeral expenses payable under subsection (a) equal to the percentage by which—
the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds
the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).
.
Death from service-Connected disability
Section 2307 of such title is amended—
by striking In any case
and inserting the following:
In general
In any case
;
in subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1), by striking $2,000
and inserting $2,000 (as increased from time to time under subsection (b))
; and
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the maximum amount of burial and funeral expenses payable under subsection (a) equal to the percentage by which—
the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds
the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).
.
Effective date
The amendments made by this Act shall apply to deaths that occur after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
