O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 21-112—sHB 6480
Veterans' Affairs Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING TH E FUNERAL EXPENSES O F CERTAIN
VETERANS
SUMMARY: This act defines the funeral expenses eligible for the state burial
benefit for indigent veterans.
By law, when a veteran dies and does not leave enough money to pay burial
expenses, as determined by the veterans commissioner after consulting with the
appropriate probate court, the state must pay $1,800 toward his or her funeral
expenses for burial or cremation. Under the act, “funeral expenses” mean the cost
of (1) cash advances paid by the funeral director, funeral services, and funeral
merchandise (e.g., alternate containers, caskets, urns, vaults, and outer burial
containers); (2) burial, cremation, or disposition; and (3) publishing an obituary.
The act also makes technical and conforming changes.
By law, a veteran qualifies for this benefit if he or she was (1) discharged or
released under honorable conditions from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces
or (2) had a qualifying condition (i.e., post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic
brain injury, or military sexual trauma) and received a discharge that was not
dishonorable or for bad conduct.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
BACKGROUND
Related Acts
PA 21-79 extends eligibility for the state burial benefit for indigent veterans
(and other specified veterans programs and benefits) to veterans released with an
other than honorable discharge based on specified qualifying conditions.
PA 21-51 similarly extends eligibility for this and other veterans’ benefits to
members of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units that served during the
Vietnam war in the U.S. secret war in the Kingdom of Laos.