HB 1635

This bill provides that an individual is eligible for interment in a state veterans' cemetery if the individual either (i) meets the eligibility criteria set forth in federal law or (ii) was a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, the army national guard, or the air national guard who was discharged or released under honorable conditions and completed the term of service obligation for which the member w as contracted, excluding time served in the individual ready reserve o r inactive national guard. However, this bill must not be implemented in a manner that jeopardizes the receipt of federal funds for the construction, expansion, or operation of state veterans' cemeteries . In order to verif y eligibility for such interment, this bill requires the department of veterans services to accept the following discharge or service-related documents:  NGB Form 22 ;  NGB Form 438 or 439 ;  DD Form 214 ;  DD Form 256, 256AF, or 257 ;  Most recent discharge orders issue d by the appropriate service branch ; and  Any other official documentation that satisfies the requirements for proof of service and character of discharge under federal regulations . INELIGIBILITY DUE TO FEDERAL OR STATE CONVICTIONS A person is not eligible for interment or memorialization in a state veterans' cemetery if such interment or memorialization is prohibited under federal law due to the person committing certain federal or state crimes . INTERMENT OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS For a person eligible for interment under this bill , this bill requires the eligibility for interment of the person's spouse, surviving spouse, minor child, and dependent incapacitated child to be determined by federal law. FEES PROHIBITED This bill prohibits the department of veterans services from charging a fee for the interment of any of the following:  A veteran who is eligible for interment.  A member of a reserve component of the armed forces, including the army national guard or air national guard, who is eligible.  The most recent spouse of an individual who is eligible.  A minor child or dependent incapacitated child of such an individual who is eligible.