| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW. | |
| 4 | 4 | [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. | |
| 5 | - | Underlining indicates amendments to bill. | |
| 6 | - | Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by | |
| 7 | - | amendment. | |
| 8 | 5 | *hb0448* | |
| 9 | 6 | ||
| 10 | 7 | HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 11 | 8 | P1, G1, D5 5lr2501 | |
| 12 | 9 | CF SB 275 | |
| 13 | - | By: Delegate Kipke Delegates Kipke, Alston, Bagnall, Bhandari, Chisholm, | |
| 14 | - | Cullison, Guzzone, Hill, Hutchinson, S. Johnson, Kaiser, Kerr, Lopez, | |
| 15 | - | Martinez, M. Morgan, Pena–Melnyk, Reilly, Rosenberg, Ross, Szeliga, | |
| 16 | - | Taveras, White Holland, Woods, and Woorman | |
| 10 | + | By: Delegate Kipke | |
| 17 | 11 | Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2025 | |
| 18 | 12 | Assigned to: Health and Government Operations | |
| 19 | - | Committee Report: Favorable with amendments | |
| 20 | - | House action: Adopted | |
| 21 | - | Read second time: February 27, 2025 | |
| 22 | 13 | ||
| 23 | - | ||
| 14 | + | A BILL ENTITLED | |
| 24 | 15 | ||
| 25 | 16 | AN ACT concerning 1 | |
| 26 | 17 | ||
| 27 | 18 | Modernization of Military Laws Act 2 | |
| 28 | 19 | ||
| 29 | 20 | FOR the purpose of establishing rules of interpretation related to the uniformed services; 3 | |
| 30 | 21 | altering the rule of interpretation for “veteran”; requiring the Secretary of Veterans 4 | |
| 31 | 22 | and Military Families to develop certain policies related to life transitions of 5 | |
| 32 | 23 | veterans, service members, and military families; altering the application of certain 6 | |
| 33 | 24 | provisions of law governing the filing of certificates of candidacy, the powers of the 7 | |
| 34 | 25 | Governor, State veterans’ cemeteries, and housing and employment discrimination 8 | |
| 35 | 26 | as they relate to veterans and the uniformed services; and generally relating to 9 | |
| 36 | 27 | veterans and the uniformed services. 10 | |
| 37 | 28 | ||
| 38 | 29 | BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11 | |
| 39 | 30 | Article – Election Law 12 | |
| 40 | 31 | Section 1–101(a) 13 | |
| 41 | 32 | Annotated Code of Maryland 14 | |
| 42 | 33 | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15 | |
| 43 | 34 | ||
| 44 | 35 | BY adding to 16 | |
| 45 | 36 | Article – Election Law 17 | |
| 46 | - | Section 1–101(b–1) | |
| 37 | + | Section 1–101(b–1) 18 | |
| 47 | 38 | Annotated Code of Maryland 19 | |
| 48 | - | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20 2 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 39 | + | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20 | |
| 40 | + | ||
| 41 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21 | |
| 42 | + | Article – Election Law 22 | |
| 43 | + | Section 1–101(b–1) and (b–2), 3–202.1(a), and 5–304(b) 23 | |
| 44 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 24 | |
| 45 | + | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 25 | |
| 46 | + | ||
| 47 | + | BY adding to 26 | |
| 48 | + | Article – General Provisions 27 2 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 49 | + | ||
| 50 | + | ||
| 51 | + | Section 1–101.1, 1–101.2, 1–103.1, 1–114.1, 1–114.2, and 1–116 1 | |
| 52 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 2 | |
| 53 | + | (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 3 | |
| 54 | + | ||
| 55 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 4 | |
| 56 | + | Article – General Provisions 5 | |
| 57 | + | Section 1–117 6 | |
| 58 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 7 | |
| 59 | + | (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 8 | |
| 60 | + | ||
| 61 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9 | |
| 62 | + | Article – Public Utilities 10 | |
| 63 | + | Section 18–111 11 | |
| 64 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 12 | |
| 65 | + | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13 | |
| 66 | + | ||
| 67 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14 | |
| 68 | + | Article – State Government 15 | |
| 69 | + | Section 2–104(d), 3–303(a), 9–901, 9–902, 9–906(a)(5) and (f), 9–910(b), 9–911(a), 16 | |
| 70 | + | 9–946(6) through (8), 9–957(a)(2), and 20–101(f) 17 | |
| 71 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 18 | |
| 72 | + | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19 | |
| 73 | + | ||
| 74 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 20 | |
| 75 | + | Article – State Government 21 | |
| 76 | + | Section 9–906(a)(1), 9–957(a)(1), and 20–101(a) 22 | |
| 77 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 23 | |
| 78 | + | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 24 | |
| 79 | + | ||
| 80 | + | BY adding to 25 | |
| 81 | + | Article – State Government 26 | |
| 82 | + | Section 9–946(9) 27 | |
| 83 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 28 | |
| 84 | + | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 29 | |
| 85 | + | ||
| 86 | + | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 30 | |
| 87 | + | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 31 | |
| 88 | + | ||
| 89 | + | Article – Election Law 32 | |
| 90 | + | ||
| 91 | + | 1–101. 33 | |
| 92 | + | ||
| 93 | + | (a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated unless a 34 | |
| 94 | + | different meaning is clearly intended from the context. 35 | |
| 95 | + | ||
| 96 | + | (B–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 36 | |
| 97 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 37 HOUSE BILL 448 3 | |
| 49 | 98 | ||
| 50 | 99 | ||
| 51 | 100 | ||
| 52 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1 | |
| 53 | - | Article – Election Law 2 | |
| 54 | - | Section 1–101(b–1) and (b–2), 3–202.1(a), and 5–304(b) 3 | |
| 55 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 4 | |
| 56 | - | (2022 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5 | |
| 101 | + | [(b–1)] (B–2) “Address confidentiality program” means the Address 1 | |
| 102 | + | Confidentiality Program administered by the Secretary of State under Title 7, Subtitle 3 of 2 | |
| 103 | + | the State Government Article. 3 | |
| 57 | 104 | ||
| 58 | - | BY adding to 6 | |
| 59 | - | Article – General Provisions 7 | |
| 60 | - | Section 1–101.1, 1–101.2, 1–103.1, 1–114.1, 1–114.2, and 1–116 8 | |
| 61 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 9 | |
| 62 | - | (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10 | |
| 105 | + | [(b–2)] (B–3) “Administrative policy affecting voting rights” means any action 4 | |
| 106 | + | relating to voter registration, provisional voting, absentee voting, or the location of a polling 5 | |
| 107 | + | place or early voting center. 6 | |
| 63 | 108 | ||
| 64 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11 | |
| 65 | - | Article – General Provisions 12 | |
| 66 | - | Section 1–117 13 | |
| 67 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 14 | |
| 68 | - | (2019 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15 | |
| 109 | + | 3–202.1. 7 | |
| 69 | 110 | ||
| 70 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16 | |
| 71 | - | Article – Public Utilities 17 | |
| 72 | - | Section 18–111 18 | |
| 73 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 19 | |
| 74 | - | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20 | |
| 111 | + | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 8 | |
| 75 | 112 | ||
| 76 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21 | |
| 77 | - | Article – State Government 22 | |
| 78 | - | Section 2–104(d), 3–303(a), 9–901, 9–902, 9–906(a)(5) and (f), 9–906, 9–907, 23 | |
| 79 | - | 9–910(b), 9–911(a), 9–946(6) through (8), 9–957(a)(2), and 20–101(f) 24 | |
| 80 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 25 | |
| 81 | - | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26 | |
| 113 | + | (2) “Common access card” means the identification card issued by the U.S. 9 | |
| 114 | + | Department of Defense to active–duty [military personnel] MEMBERS OF THE 10 | |
| 115 | + | UNIFORMED SERVICES , eligible [reserve personnel] MEMBERS OF A RESERVE 11 | |
| 116 | + | COMPONENT , Department of Defense civilian employees, and eligible Department of 12 | |
| 117 | + | Defense contractor personnel. 13 | |
| 82 | 118 | ||
| 83 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 27 | |
| 84 | - | Article – State Government 28 | |
| 85 | - | Section 9–906(a)(1), 9–957(a)(1), and 20–101(a) 29 | |
| 86 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 30 | |
| 87 | - | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 31 | |
| 119 | + | (3) “Federal post card application” means the form prescribed under 52 14 | |
| 120 | + | U.S.C. § 20301(b)(2) that may be used by absent uniformed services voters and overseas 15 | |
| 121 | + | voters to simultaneously apply to register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot. 16 | |
| 88 | 122 | ||
| 89 | - | BY adding to 32 | |
| 90 | - | Article – State Government 33 | |
| 91 | - | Section 9–946(9) 34 | |
| 92 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland 35 | |
| 93 | - | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 36 | |
| 123 | + | (4) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 17 | |
| 124 | + | OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 18 | |
| 94 | 125 | ||
| 95 | - | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 37 | |
| 96 | - | That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 38 | |
| 97 | - | HOUSE BILL 448 3 | |
| 126 | + | (5) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 19 | |
| 127 | + | OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 20 | |
| 98 | 128 | ||
| 129 | + | 5–304. 21 | |
| 99 | 130 | ||
| 100 | - | Article – Election Law 1 | |
| 131 | + | (b) A certificate of candidacy may be filed as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii) 22 | |
| 132 | + | of this section, if: 23 | |
| 101 | 133 | ||
| 102 | - | 1–101. 2 | |
| 134 | + | (1) the individual filing the certificate is unable to do so in person because 24 | |
| 135 | + | of illness, [military] service IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES, or temporary absence from 25 | |
| 136 | + | the State; and 26 | |
| 103 | 137 | ||
| 104 | - | (a) In this article the following words have the meanings indicated unless a 3 | |
| 105 | - | different meaning is clearly intended from the context. 4 | |
| 138 | + | (2) the certificate is accompanied by an affidavit signed by the individual 27 | |
| 139 | + | filing the certificate setting forth fully the facts that prevent that individual from filing the 28 | |
| 140 | + | certificate in person. 29 | |
| 106 | 141 | ||
| 107 | - | (B–1) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 5 | |
| 108 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 6 | |
| 142 | + | Article – General Provisions 30 | |
| 109 | 143 | ||
| 110 | - | [(b–1)] (B–2) “Address confidentiality program” means the Address 7 | |
| 111 | - | Confidentiality Program administered by the Secretary of State under Title 7, Subtitle 3 of 8 | |
| 112 | - | the State Government Article. 9 | |
| 113 | - | ||
| 114 | - | [(b–2)] (B–3) “Administrative policy affecting voting rights” means any action 10 | |
| 115 | - | relating to voter registration, provisional voting, absentee voting, or the location of a polling 11 | |
| 116 | - | place or early voting center. 12 | |
| 117 | - | ||
| 118 | - | (TT–1) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 13 | |
| 119 | - | OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 14 | |
| 120 | - | ||
| 121 | - | 3–202.1. 15 | |
| 122 | - | ||
| 123 | - | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 16 | |
| 124 | - | ||
| 125 | - | (2) “Common access card” means the identification card issued by the U.S. 17 | |
| 126 | - | Department of Defense to active–duty [military personnel] MEMBERS OF THE 18 | |
| 127 | - | UNIFORMED SERVICES , eligible [reserve personnel] MEMBERS OF A RESERVE 19 | |
| 128 | - | COMPONENT , Department of Defense civilian employees, and eligible Department of 20 | |
| 129 | - | Defense contractor personnel. 21 | |
| 130 | - | ||
| 131 | - | (3) “Federal post card application” means the form prescribed under 52 22 | |
| 132 | - | U.S.C. § 20301(b)(2) that may be used by absent uniformed services voters and overseas 23 | |
| 133 | - | voters to simultaneously apply to register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot. 24 | |
| 134 | - | ||
| 135 | - | (4) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEA NING STATED IN § 9–901 25 | |
| 136 | - | OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 26 | |
| 137 | - | ||
| 138 | - | (5) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 27 | |
| 139 | - | OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 28 | |
| 140 | - | ||
| 141 | - | 5–304. 29 | |
| 142 | - | ||
| 143 | - | (b) A certificate of candidacy may be filed as permitted under subsection (a)(1)(ii) 30 | |
| 144 | - | of this section, if: 31 | |
| 144 | + | 1–101.1. 31 | |
| 145 | 145 | 4 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 146 | 146 | ||
| 147 | 147 | ||
| 148 | - | (1) the individual filing the certificate is unable to do so in person because 1 | |
| 149 | - | of illness, [military] service IN THE UNIFORMED SER VICES, or temporary absence from 2 | |
| 150 | - | the State; and 3 | |
| 148 | + | “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 1 | |
| 149 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 2 | |
| 151 | 150 | ||
| 152 | - | (2) the certificate is accompanied by an affidavit signed by the individual 4 | |
| 153 | - | filing the certificate setting forth fully the facts that prevent that individual from filing the 5 | |
| 154 | - | certificate in person. 6 | |
| 151 | + | 1–101.2. 3 | |
| 155 | 152 | ||
| 156 | - | Article – General Provisions 7 | |
| 153 | + | “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE 4 | |
| 154 | + | STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 5 | |
| 157 | 155 | ||
| 158 | - | 1– | |
| 156 | + | 1–103.1. 6 | |
| 159 | 157 | ||
| 160 | - | “ | |
| 161 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. | |
| 158 | + | “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 7 | |
| 159 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8 | |
| 162 | 160 | ||
| 163 | - | 1– | |
| 161 | + | 1–114.1. 9 | |
| 164 | 162 | ||
| 165 | - | “ | |
| 166 | - | ||
| 163 | + | “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 10 | |
| 164 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 11 | |
| 167 | 165 | ||
| 168 | - | 1– | |
| 166 | + | 1–114.2. 12 | |
| 169 | 167 | ||
| 170 | - | “ | |
| 171 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. | |
| 168 | + | “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 13 | |
| 169 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 14 | |
| 172 | 170 | ||
| 173 | - | 1– | |
| 171 | + | 1–116. 15 | |
| 174 | 172 | ||
| 175 | - | “ | |
| 176 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. | |
| 173 | + | “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 16 | |
| 174 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 17 | |
| 177 | 175 | ||
| 178 | - | 1– | |
| 176 | + | 1–117. 18 | |
| 179 | 177 | ||
| 180 | - | “SERVICE MEMBER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 21 | |
| 181 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 22 | |
| 178 | + | With respect to any State program of benefits, rights, or privileges applicable to a 19 | |
| 179 | + | veteran under this Code, “veteran” includes[, if the individual is eligible under 38 U.S.C. § 20 | |
| 180 | + | 101, a member of the commissioned corps of: 21 | |
| 182 | 181 | ||
| 183 | - | 1 | |
| 182 | + | (1) the Public Health Service; or 22 | |
| 184 | 183 | ||
| 185 | - | “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 24 | |
| 186 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 25 | |
| 184 | + | (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its 23 | |
| 185 | + | predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey] AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ME ETS THE 24 | |
| 186 | + | DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” UNDER § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 25 | |
| 187 | 187 | ||
| 188 | - | ||
| 188 | + | Article – Public Utilities 26 | |
| 189 | 189 | ||
| 190 | - | (A) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 27 | |
| 191 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 28 | |
| 190 | + | 18–111. 27 | |
| 192 | 191 | HOUSE BILL 448 5 | |
| 193 | 192 | ||
| 194 | 193 | ||
| 195 | - | ( | |
| 196 | - | ||
| 197 | - | ||
| 194 | + | (a) In this section, [“eligible veteran” means a veteran of any branch of the armed 1 | |
| 195 | + | forces of the United States who has received an honorable discharge or a certificate of 2 | |
| 196 | + | satisfactory completion of military service, including: 3 | |
| 198 | 197 | ||
| 199 | - | (1) the | |
| 198 | + | (1) the National Guard; 4 | |
| 200 | 199 | ||
| 201 | - | (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its 5 | |
| 202 | - | predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey] AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ME ETS THE 6 | |
| 203 | - | DEFINITION OF “VETERAN” UNDER § 9–901 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 7 | |
| 200 | + | (2) the military reserves; 5 | |
| 204 | 201 | ||
| 205 | - | ||
| 202 | + | (3) the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service; and 6 | |
| 206 | 203 | ||
| 207 | - | 18–111. 9 | |
| 204 | + | (4) the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 7 | |
| 205 | + | Administration] “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 OF THE STATE 8 | |
| 206 | + | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 9 | |
| 208 | 207 | ||
| 209 | - | (a) (1) In this section, [“eligible veteran” means THE FOLLOWING WORDS 10 | |
| 210 | - | HAVE THE MEANINGS IN DICATED. 11 | |
| 208 | + | (b) The Commission may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to: 10 | |
| 211 | 209 | ||
| 212 | - | (2) “ELIGIBLE VETERAN ” MEANS a veteran of any branch of the armed 12 | |
| 213 | - | forces of the United States UNIFORMED SERVICES who has received an honorable 13 | |
| 214 | - | discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of military service, including: 14 | |
| 210 | + | (1) [an eligible] A veteran; 11 | |
| 215 | 211 | ||
| 216 | - | (1) the National Guard; 15 | |
| 212 | + | (2) the spouse of [an eligible] A veteran who has a service–connected 12 | |
| 213 | + | disability; or 13 | |
| 217 | 214 | ||
| 218 | - | ( | |
| 215 | + | (3) the surviving spouse of a deceased [eligible] veteran. 14 | |
| 219 | 216 | ||
| 220 | - | (3) (I) A RESERVE COMPONENT ; 17 | |
| 217 | + | (c) Granting a preference under subsection (b) of this section does not violate any 15 | |
| 218 | + | State or local equal employment opportunity law. 16 | |
| 221 | 219 | ||
| 222 | - | ||
| 220 | + | Article – State Government 17 | |
| 223 | 221 | ||
| 224 | - | (4) (III) the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and 19 | |
| 225 | - | Atmospheric Administration] “VETERAN” HAS. 20 | |
| 222 | + | 2–104. 18 | |
| 226 | 223 | ||
| 227 | - | (3) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9–901 21 | |
| 228 | - | OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 22 | |
| 224 | + | (d) Any full–time permanent employee of the General Assembly of Maryland or 19 | |
| 225 | + | the Department of Legislative Services who separates from State service and returns to 20 | |
| 226 | + | State service in the Executive or Judicial Branch within 3 years from the time of separation 21 | |
| 227 | + | from active duty, AS DEFINED IN § 9–901 OF THIS ARTICLE , shall be eligible for 22 | |
| 228 | + | reinstatement and shall receive full credit for any prior State service. 23 | |
| 229 | 229 | ||
| 230 | - | (4) “VETERAN” HAS THE MEANING STATED I N § 9–901 OF THE STATE 23 | |
| 231 | - | GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 24 | |
| 230 | + | 3–303. 24 | |
| 232 | 231 | ||
| 233 | - | (b) The Commission may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to: 25 | |
| 232 | + | (a) The Governor is the commander–in–chief of the land and naval militia of the 25 | |
| 233 | + | State, except for any part of the militia that is in the active [military] service of the [United 26 | |
| 234 | + | States] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 27 | |
| 234 | 235 | ||
| 235 | - | ||
| 236 | + | 9–901. 28 | |
| 236 | 237 | ||
| 237 | - | (2) the spouse of [an eligible] A veteran who has a service–connected 27 | |
| 238 | - | disability; or 28 | |
| 238 | + | (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 29 | |
| 239 | 239 | 6 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 240 | 240 | ||
| 241 | 241 | ||
| 242 | - | ( | |
| 242 | + | (B) “ACTIVE DUTY” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 1 | |
| 243 | 243 | ||
| 244 | - | (c) Granting a preference under subsection (b) of this section does not violate any 2 | |
| 245 | - | State or local equal employment opportunity law. 3 | |
| 244 | + | (C) “ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS: 2 | |
| 246 | 245 | ||
| 247 | - | ||
| 246 | + | (1) AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBE R OF THE UNIFORMED S ERVICES; OR 3 | |
| 248 | 247 | ||
| 249 | - | 2–104. 5 | |
| 248 | + | (2) SERVING IN A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNI FORMED 4 | |
| 249 | + | SERVICES ON ACTIVE D UTY ORDERS. 5 | |
| 250 | 250 | ||
| 251 | - | (d) Any full–time permanent employee of the General Assembly of Maryland or 6 | |
| 252 | - | the Department of Legislative Services who separates from State service and returns to 7 | |
| 253 | - | State service in the Executive or Judicial Branch within 3 years from the time of separation 8 | |
| 254 | - | from active duty, AS DEFINED IN § 9–901 OF THIS ARTICLE , shall be eligible for 9 | |
| 255 | - | reinstatement and shall receive full credit for any prior State service. 10 | |
| 251 | + | (D) “ARMED FORCES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 10 U.S.C. § 101. 6 | |
| 256 | 252 | ||
| 257 | - | ||
| 253 | + | [(b)] (E) “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Veterans Trust. 7 | |
| 258 | 254 | ||
| 259 | - | (a) The Governor is the commander–in–chief of the land and naval militia of the 12 | |
| 260 | - | State, except for any part of the militia that is in the active [military] service of the [United 13 | |
| 261 | - | States] UNIFORMED SERVICES . 14 | |
| 255 | + | [(c)] (F) “Department” means the Department of Veterans and Military 8 | |
| 256 | + | Families. 9 | |
| 262 | 257 | ||
| 263 | - | 9–901. 15 | |
| 258 | + | (G) “MILITARY FAMILY ” INCLUDES THE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT 10 | |
| 259 | + | CHILDREN OF A SERVIC E MEMBER OR VETERAN RELATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 11 | |
| 260 | + | ADOPTION. 12 | |
| 264 | 261 | ||
| 265 | - | ( | |
| 262 | + | (H) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 13 | |
| 266 | 263 | ||
| 267 | - | ( | |
| 264 | + | [(d)] (I) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. 14 | |
| 268 | 265 | ||
| 269 | - | ( | |
| 266 | + | (J) “SERVICE MEMBER ” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MEMBER OF : 15 | |
| 270 | 267 | ||
| 271 | - | (1) | |
| 268 | + | (1) THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES; OR 16 | |
| 272 | 269 | ||
| 273 | - | (2) SERVING IN A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNIFORMED 20 | |
| 274 | - | SERVICES ON ACTIVE D UTY ORDERS. 21 | |
| 270 | + | (2) A RESERVE COMPONENT OF THE UNI FORMED SERVICES . 17 | |
| 275 | 271 | ||
| 276 | - | ( | |
| 272 | + | [(e)] (K) “Trust” means the Maryland Veterans Trust. 18 | |
| 277 | 273 | ||
| 278 | - | ||
| 274 | + | (L) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 19 | |
| 279 | 275 | ||
| 280 | - | [(c)] (F) “Department” means the Department of Veterans and Military 24 | |
| 281 | - | Families. 25 | |
| 276 | + | [(f)] (M) Except as otherwise provided [in this subtitle], “veteran” [means an 20 | |
| 277 | + | individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than 21 | |
| 278 | + | for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable] HAS 22 | |
| 279 | + | THE MEANING STATED I N 38 U.S.C. § 101. 23 | |
| 282 | 280 | ||
| 283 | - | (G) “MILITARY FAMILY ” INCLUDES THE SPOUSE AND DEPENDENT 26 | |
| 284 | - | CHILDREN OF A SERVIC E MEMBER OR VETERAN RELATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 27 | |
| 285 | - | ADOPTION. 28 | |
| 281 | + | 9–902. 24 | |
| 286 | 282 | ||
| 287 | - | (H) “RESERVE COMPONENT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 29 HOUSE BILL 448 7 | |
| 283 | + | (a) There is a Department of Veterans and Military Families, established as a 25 | |
| 284 | + | principal department of the State government. 26 | |
| 285 | + | HOUSE BILL 448 7 | |
| 288 | 286 | ||
| 289 | 287 | ||
| 288 | + | (b) The head of the Department is the Secretary of Veterans and Military 1 | |
| 289 | + | Families who shall be: 2 | |
| 290 | 290 | ||
| 291 | - | [(d)] (I) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families. 1 | |
| 291 | + | (1) a veteran [who has an honorable discharge from active service with a 3 | |
| 292 | + | uniformed service of the United States]; and 4 | |
| 292 | 293 | ||
| 293 | - | ( | |
| 294 | + | (2) appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. 5 | |
| 294 | 295 | ||
| 295 | - | (1) THE UNIFORMED SERVIC ES; OR 3 | |
| 296 | + | (c) (1) The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible 6 | |
| 297 | + | directly to the Governor. The Secretary shall advise the Governor on all matters assigned 7 | |
| 298 | + | to the Department and is responsible for carrying out the Governor’s policies on these 8 | |
| 299 | + | matters. 9 | |
| 296 | 300 | ||
| 297 | - | (2) | |
| 301 | + | (2) The Secretary is responsible for: 10 | |
| 298 | 302 | ||
| 299 | - | [(e)] (K) “Trust” means the Maryland Veterans Trust. 5 | |
| 303 | + | (I) the operation of the Department and shall establish guidelines 11 | |
| 304 | + | and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient operation of the Department; AND 12 | |
| 300 | 305 | ||
| 301 | - | (L) “UNIFORMED SERVICES ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN 37 U.S.C. § 101. 6 | |
| 306 | + | (II) THE DEVELOPMENT OF C OORDINATED POLICIES FOR 13 | |
| 307 | + | LEADING VETERANS , SERVICE MEMBERS , AND THEIR FAMILIES T HROUGH LIFE ’S 14 | |
| 308 | + | TRANSITIONS, INCLUDING ASSISTING IN SECURING BENEFITS EARNED THROUGH 15 | |
| 309 | + | SERVICE IN THE UNIFO RMED SERVICES AND RE SERVE COMPONENTS . 16 | |
| 302 | 310 | ||
| 303 | - | [(f)] (M) Except as otherwise provided [in this subtitle], “veteran” [means an 7 | |
| 304 | - | individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than 8 | |
| 305 | - | for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable] HAS 9 | |
| 306 | - | THE MEANING STATED I N 38 U.S.C. § 101. 10 | |
| 311 | + | (3) Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, the Secretary may establish, 17 | |
| 312 | + | reorganize, or consolidate areas of responsibility in the Department as necessary to fulfill 18 | |
| 313 | + | the duties assigned by the Secretary. 19 | |
| 307 | 314 | ||
| 308 | - | 9–902. 11 | |
| 315 | + | (4) The Secretary shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the 20 | |
| 316 | + | provisions of this subtitle. 21 | |
| 309 | 317 | ||
| 310 | - | (a) There is a Department of Veterans and Military Families, established as a 12 | |
| 311 | - | principal department of the State government. 13 | |
| 318 | + | (d) The Secretary is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget. 22 | |
| 312 | 319 | ||
| 313 | - | (b) The head of the Department is the Secretary of Veterans and Military 14 | |
| 314 | - | Families who shall be: 15 | |
| 320 | + | 9–906. 23 | |
| 315 | 321 | ||
| 316 | - | (1) a veteran [who has an honorable discharge from active service with a 16 | |
| 317 | - | uniformed service of the United States]; and 17 | |
| 322 | + | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 24 | |
| 318 | 323 | ||
| 319 | - | (2) appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. 18 | |
| 324 | + | (5) In this section and in § 9–907 of this subtitle, “veteran” means an 25 | |
| 325 | + | individual who: 26 | |
| 320 | 326 | ||
| 321 | - | (c) (1) The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Governor and is responsible 19 | |
| 322 | - | directly to the Governor. The Secretary shall advise the Governor on all matters assigned 20 | |
| 323 | - | to the Department and is responsible for carrying out the Governor’s policies on these 21 | |
| 324 | - | matters. 22 | |
| 327 | + | (i) served other than dishonorably on active duty in the [armed 27 | |
| 328 | + | forces of the United States] UNIFORMED SERVICES ; or 28 | |
| 325 | 329 | ||
| 326 | - | (2) The Secretary is responsible for: 23 | |
| 327 | - | ||
| 328 | - | (I) the operation of the Department and shall establish guidelines 24 | |
| 329 | - | and procedures to promote the orderly and efficient operation of the Department; AND 25 | |
| 330 | - | ||
| 331 | - | (II) THE DEVELOPMENT OF COORD INATED POLICIES FOR 26 | |
| 332 | - | LEADING VETERANS , SERVICE MEMBERS , AND THEIR FAMILIES T HROUGH LIFE ’S 27 | |
| 333 | - | TRANSITIONS, INCLUDING ASSISTING IN SECURING BENEFITS EARNED THROUGH 28 | |
| 334 | - | SERVICE IN THE UNIFO RMED SERVICES AND RE SERVE COMPONENTS . 29 8 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 330 | + | (ii) served other than dishonorably as a member of the State militia 29 | |
| 331 | + | ordered into active service [of the United States] by order of the President and was killed 30 | |
| 332 | + | in the line of duty. 31 | |
| 333 | + | 8 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 335 | 334 | ||
| 336 | 335 | ||
| 336 | + | (f) To qualify for a plot in a State veterans’ cemetery: 1 | |
| 337 | 337 | ||
| 338 | - | ( | |
| 339 | - | ||
| 340 | - | the | |
| 338 | + | (1) the applicant must be a veteran who meets the requirements for burial 2 | |
| 339 | + | at a national veterans’ cemetery or an eligible spouse or dependent of a veteran who meets 3 | |
| 340 | + | the requirements of this subsection; and 4 | |
| 341 | 341 | ||
| 342 | - | (4) The Secretary shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the 4 | |
| 343 | - | provisions of this subtitle. 5 | |
| 342 | + | (2) if a veteran, the veteran must also have been a resident of the State: 5 | |
| 344 | 343 | ||
| 345 | - | (d) The Secretary is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget. 6 | |
| 344 | + | (i) when the veteran entered the [armed forces] UNIFORMED 6 | |
| 345 | + | SERVICES; 7 | |
| 346 | 346 | ||
| 347 | - | ||
| 347 | + | (ii) when the veteran died; or 8 | |
| 348 | 348 | ||
| 349 | - | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 8 | |
| 349 | + | (iii) for 2 years, unless, for a reason that the Department finds 9 | |
| 350 | + | compelling, the Department waives the time period. 10 | |
| 350 | 351 | ||
| 351 | - | (5) In this section and in § 9–907 of this subtitle, “veteran” means an 9 | |
| 352 | - | individual who: 10 | |
| 352 | + | 9–910. 11 | |
| 353 | 353 | ||
| 354 | - | ( | |
| 355 | - | ||
| 354 | + | (b) (1) The Department may appoint a Director for the home and employ any 12 | |
| 355 | + | other staff that is needed to manage the home properly. 13 | |
| 356 | 356 | ||
| 357 | - | (ii) served other than dishonorably as a member of the State militia 13 | |
| 358 | - | ordered into active service [of the United States] by order of the President and was killed 14 | |
| 359 | - | in the line of duty. 15 | |
| 357 | + | (2) In appointing or employing staff, the Department shall give preference 14 | |
| 358 | + | to a veteran [who has an honorable discharge from the armed forces]. 15 | |
| 360 | 359 | ||
| 361 | - | ( | |
| 360 | + | (3) The Director shall: 16 | |
| 362 | 361 | ||
| 363 | - | (1) the applicant must be a veteran who meets the requirements for burial 17 | |
| 364 | - | at a national veterans’ cemetery or an eligible spouse or dependent of a veteran who meets 18 | |
| 365 | - | the requirements of this subsection; and 19 | |
| 362 | + | (i) serve at the pleasure of the Secretary; and 17 | |
| 366 | 363 | ||
| 367 | - | ( | |
| 364 | + | (ii) perform any duty that the Department requires. 18 | |
| 368 | 365 | ||
| 369 | - | (i) when the veteran entered the [armed forces] UNIFORMED 21 | |
| 370 | - | SERVICES; 22 | |
| 366 | + | 9–911. 19 | |
| 371 | 367 | ||
| 372 | - | (ii) when the veteran died; or 23 | |
| 368 | + | (a) In accordance with the regulations of the Department and applicable law, the 20 | |
| 369 | + | home shall be open: 21 | |
| 373 | 370 | ||
| 374 | - | (iii) for 2 years, unless, for a reason that the Department finds 24 | |
| 375 | - | compelling, the Department waives the time period. 25 | |
| 371 | + | (1) to a veteran who[: 22 | |
| 376 | 372 | ||
| 377 | - | 9–906. 26 | |
| 373 | + | (i) has an honorable discharge from active service with a uniformed 23 | |
| 374 | + | service of the United States; and 24 | |
| 378 | 375 | ||
| 379 | - | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 27 | |
| 376 | + | (ii)] is a resident of the State as defined in regulations adopted by the 25 | |
| 377 | + | Secretary; or 26 | |
| 380 | 378 | ||
| 381 | - | (2) IN THIS SECTION AND IN § 9–907 OF THIS SUBTITLE , “ELIGIBLE 28 | |
| 382 | - | DECEDENT” MEANS: 29 HOUSE BILL 448 9 | |
| 379 | + | (2) to a spouse of an eligible veteran. 27 | |
| 380 | + | ||
| 381 | + | 9–946. 28 | |
| 382 | + | HOUSE BILL 448 9 | |
| 383 | 383 | ||
| 384 | 384 | ||
| 385 | + | The Secretary shall submit a report by December 31 of each year to the Governor 1 | |
| 386 | + | and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, the General Assembly, that includes: 2 | |
| 385 | 387 | ||
| 386 | - | (I) A VETERAN; 1 | |
| 388 | + | (6) the estimated impact current [military] operations are likely to have 3 | |
| 389 | + | on the needs of veterans in the future; 4 | |
| 387 | 390 | ||
| 388 | - | (II) A QUALIFIED RESERVE MEMBER; OR 2 | |
| 391 | + | (7) the status of federal veterans programs as they relate to Maryland 5 | |
| 392 | + | veterans; [and] 6 | |
| 389 | 393 | ||
| 390 | - | (III) AN ELIGIBLE SPOUSE O R DEPENDENT . 3 | |
| 394 | + | (8) any other issues concerning veterans that the Secretary considers 7 | |
| 395 | + | appropriate; AND 8 | |
| 391 | 396 | ||
| 392 | - | (3) “Eligible dependent” means: 4 | |
| 397 | + | (9) ANY OTHER ISSUES CON CERNING SERVICE MEMB ERS, INCLUDING 9 | |
| 398 | + | ISSUES UNIQUELY PERT AINING TO ACTIVE SER VICE MEMBERS THAT TH E 10 | |
| 399 | + | SECRETARY CONSIDERS A PPROPRIATE . 11 | |
| 393 | 400 | ||
| 394 | - | (i) a child who meets the requirements stated in 38 C.F.R. § 5 | |
| 395 | - | 38.620(e); [or] 6 | |
| 401 | + | 9–957. 12 | |
| 396 | 402 | ||
| 397 | - | (ii) a parent who meets the requirements stated in 38 C.F.R. § 7 | |
| 398 | - | 38.620(i); OR 8 | |
| 403 | + | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 13 | |
| 399 | 404 | ||
| 400 | - | (III) A PARENT OR CHILD RE LATED BY BLOOD , MARRIAGE, OR 9 | |
| 401 | - | ADOPTION OF A QUALIF IED RESERVE MEMBER . 10 | |
| 405 | + | (2) “Eligible veteran” means [an individual who: 14 | |
| 402 | 406 | ||
| 403 | - | ||
| 407 | + | (i) served on active duty in: 15 | |
| 404 | 408 | ||
| 405 | - | (I) a spouse who meets the requirements stated in 38 C.F.R. § 12 | |
| 406 | - | 38.620(e); OR 13 | |
| 409 | + | 1. the armed forces of the United States; 16 | |
| 407 | 410 | ||
| 408 | - | | |
| 411 | + | 2. the National Guard; or 17 | |
| 409 | 412 | ||
| 410 | - | (5) “QUALIFIED RESERVE MEM BER” MEANS A RESERVE COMP ONENT 15 | |
| 411 | - | MEMBER WHO DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENT S FOR BURIAL AT A NA TIONAL 16 | |
| 412 | - | VETERANS’ CEMETERY BUT SERVED OTHER THAN DISHONORA BLY AND COMPLETED 17 | |
| 413 | - | THE INDIVIDUAL ’S CONTRACTUAL OBLIGA TION OF SERVICE. 18 | |
| 413 | + | 3. a reserve component of the armed forces of the United 18 | |
| 414 | + | States; 19 | |
| 414 | 415 | ||
| 415 | - | [(4)] (6) “State veterans’ cemetery” means a cemetery that the 19 | |
| 416 | - | Department establishes under this section. 20 | |
| 416 | + | (ii) served in a capacity other than for training; 20 | |
| 417 | 417 | ||
| 418 | - | | |
| 419 | - | ||
| 418 | + | (iii) was discharged or released under conditions other than 21 | |
| 419 | + | dishonorable; and] A VETERAN WHO : 22 | |
| 420 | 420 | ||
| 421 | - | (i) served other than dishonorably on active duty in the armed 23 | |
| 422 | - | forces of the United States; or 24 | |
| 421 | + | [(iv) 1.] (I) is a resident of the State; or 23 | |
| 423 | 422 | ||
| 424 | - | (ii) served other than dishonorably as a member of the State militia 25 | |
| 425 | - | ordered into active service of the United States by order of the President and was killed in 26 | |
| 426 | - | the line of duty. 27 | |
| 423 | + | [2.] (II) receives treatment or care from a U.S. Department of 24 | |
| 424 | + | Veterans Affairs or U.S. Department of Defense medical facility in the State. 25 | |
| 427 | 425 | ||
| 428 | - | (6)] (7) “Washington Cemetery” means the Civil War cemetery grounds 28 | |
| 429 | - | authorized by Chapter 213 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1870. 29 10 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 426 | + | 20–101. 26 | |
| 427 | + | ||
| 428 | + | (a) In Subtitles 1 through 11 of this title the following words have the meanings 27 | |
| 429 | + | indicated. 28 | |
| 430 | + | 10 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 430 | 431 | ||
| 431 | 432 | ||
| 433 | + | (f) “Military status” means the status of being: 1 | |
| 432 | 434 | ||
| 433 | - | (b) The Department may establish one or more cemeteries in the State for the 1 | |
| 434 | - | burial of [veterans and their eligible spouse or dependents] ELIGIBLE DECEDENTS as 2 | |
| 435 | - | authorized by the Secretary. 3 | |
| 435 | + | (1) a member of the uniformed services[, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101]; 2 | |
| 436 | 436 | ||
| 437 | - | (c) The Department may accept land, on behalf of the State or a political 4 | |
| 438 | - | subdivision of the State, or otherwise acquire land for a State veterans’ cemetery, if the 5 | |
| 439 | - | Department has the approval of: 6 | |
| 437 | + | (2) a member of a reserve component of the [armed forces of the United 3 | |
| 438 | + | States, as listed in 10 U.S.C. § 10101] UNIFORMED SERVICES ; or 4 | |
| 440 | 439 | ||
| 441 | - | (1) the governing body of the county where the State veterans’ cemetery is 7 | |
| 442 | - | to be located; 8 | |
| 440 | + | (3) a dependent, as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4). 5 | |
| 443 | 441 | ||
| 444 | - | | |
| 445 | - | ||
| 442 | + | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 6 | |
| 443 | + | October 1, 2025. 7 | |
| 446 | 444 | ||
| 447 | - | (3) the Board of Public Works. 11 | |
| 448 | - | ||
| 449 | - | (d) (1) The Department shall maintain and supervise each State veterans’ 12 | |
| 450 | - | cemetery. 13 | |
| 451 | - | ||
| 452 | - | (2) The Washington Cemetery shall be under the supervision of the 14 | |
| 453 | - | Department. 15 | |
| 454 | - | ||
| 455 | - | (e) The Department shall provide a plot in a State veterans’ cemetery, without 16 | |
| 456 | - | charge, to a veteran OR A VETERAN’S ELIGIBLE SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT who meets the 17 | |
| 457 | - | requirements of this section. 18 | |
| 458 | - | ||
| 459 | - | (f) To qualify for a plot in a State veterans’ cemetery: 19 | |
| 460 | - | ||
| 461 | - | (1) the [applicant] ELIGIBLE DECEDENT must be: 20 | |
| 462 | - | ||
| 463 | - | (I) a veteran who meets the requirements for burial at a national 21 | |
| 464 | - | veterans’ cemetery; 22 | |
| 465 | - | ||
| 466 | - | (II) A QUALIFIED RESERVE MEMBER; or 23 | |
| 467 | - | ||
| 468 | - | (III) an eligible spouse or dependent [of a veteran] who meets the 24 | |
| 469 | - | requirements of this subsection; and 25 | |
| 470 | - | ||
| 471 | - | (2) if a [veteran, the veteran] QUALIFIED RESERVE ME MBER, THE 26 | |
| 472 | - | QUALIFIED RESERVE ME MBER must also have been a resident of the State: 27 | |
| 473 | - | ||
| 474 | - | (i) when the [veteran] QUALIFIED RESERVE ME MBER entered the 28 | |
| 475 | - | [armed forces] RESERVE COMPONENT ; 29 | |
| 476 | - | ||
| 477 | - | (ii) when the [veteran] QUALIFIED RESERVE ME MBER died; or 30 HOUSE BILL 448 11 | |
| 478 | - | ||
| 479 | - | ||
| 480 | - | ||
| 481 | - | (iii) for 2 years, unless, for a reason that the Department finds 1 | |
| 482 | - | compelling, the Department waives the time period. 2 | |
| 483 | - | ||
| 484 | - | (g) To obtain a plot in a State veterans’ cemetery, an applicant shall submit to 3 | |
| 485 | - | the Department an application on the form that the Department provides. 4 | |
| 486 | - | ||
| 487 | - | (h) (1) In a plot that is allotted to a veteran OR A QUALIFIED RESER VE 5 | |
| 488 | - | MEMBER, the Department shall bury: 6 | |
| 489 | - | ||
| 490 | - | (i) the veteran OR QUALIFIED RESERVE MEMBER; and 7 | |
| 491 | - | ||
| 492 | - | (ii) any member of the immediate family who is an eligible spouse or 8 | |
| 493 | - | dependent [of the veteran] if the family member can be buried in a space above or below 9 | |
| 494 | - | the veteran OR QUALIFIED RESERVE MEMBER or in the next available plot. 10 | |
| 495 | - | ||
| 496 | - | (2) With each plot, the Department shall provide a grave liner at no cost 11 | |
| 497 | - | for the veteran or THE VETERAN ’S eligible spouse or dependent. 12 | |
| 498 | - | ||
| 499 | - | (i) (1) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 13 | |
| 500 | - | SUBSECTION, THE Department [shall bury the] MAY NOT CHARGE A veteran or A 14 | |
| 501 | - | VETERAN’S eligible spouse or dependent [without charge] FOR BURIAL. 15 | |
| 502 | - | ||
| 503 | - | (2) IF THE INDIVIDUAL BEI NG BURIED IS A QUALI FIED RESERVE 16 | |
| 504 | - | MEMBER OR A QUALIFIE D RESERVE MEMBER ’S ELIGIBLE SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT , 17 | |
| 505 | - | THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ECT AT THE TIME OF B URIAL A FEE THAT IS EQUAL 18 | |
| 506 | - | TO THE ANNUAL PLOT A LLOWANCE ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL CEMETERY 19 | |
| 507 | - | ADMINISTRATION . 20 | |
| 508 | - | ||
| 509 | - | 9–907. 21 | |
| 510 | - | ||
| 511 | - | The Department shall keep a registry of the graves of [veterans and family members 22 | |
| 512 | - | of veterans] ELIGIBLE DECEDENTS who are buried in the State veterans’ cemeteries. 23 | |
| 513 | - | ||
| 514 | - | 9–910. 24 | |
| 515 | - | ||
| 516 | - | (b) (1) The Department may appoint a Director for the home and employ any 25 | |
| 517 | - | other staff that is needed to manage the home properly. 26 | |
| 518 | - | ||
| 519 | - | (2) In appointing or employing staff, the Department shall give preference 27 | |
| 520 | - | to a veteran [who has an honorable discharge from the armed forces UNIFORMED 28 | |
| 521 | - | SERVICES]. 29 | |
| 522 | - | ||
| 523 | - | (3) The Director shall: 30 | |
| 524 | - | 12 HOUSE BILL 448 | |
| 525 | - | ||
| 526 | - | ||
| 527 | - | (i) serve at the pleasure of the Secretary; and 1 | |
| 528 | - | ||
| 529 | - | (ii) perform any duty that the Department requires. 2 | |
| 530 | - | ||
| 531 | - | 9–911. 3 | |
| 532 | - | ||
| 533 | - | (a) In accordance with the regulations of the Department and applicable law, the 4 | |
| 534 | - | home shall be open: 5 | |
| 535 | - | ||
| 536 | - | (1) to a veteran who[: 6 | |
| 537 | - | ||
| 538 | - | (i) has an honorable discharge from active service with a uniformed 7 | |
| 539 | - | service of the United States; and 8 | |
| 540 | - | ||
| 541 | - | (ii)] is a resident of the State as defined in regulations adopted by the 9 | |
| 542 | - | Secretary; or 10 | |
| 543 | - | ||
| 544 | - | (2) to a spouse of an eligible veteran. 11 | |
| 545 | - | ||
| 546 | - | 9–946. 12 | |
| 547 | - | ||
| 548 | - | The Secretary shall submit a report by December 31 of each year to the Governor 13 | |
| 549 | - | and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, the General Assembly, that includes: 14 | |
| 550 | - | ||
| 551 | - | (6) the estimated impact current [military] operations are likely to have 15 | |
| 552 | - | on the needs of veterans in the future; 16 | |
| 553 | - | ||
| 554 | - | (7) the status of federal veterans programs as they relate to Maryland 17 | |
| 555 | - | veterans; [and] 18 | |
| 556 | - | ||
| 557 | - | (8) any other issues concerning veterans that the Secretary considers 19 | |
| 558 | - | appropriate; AND 20 | |
| 559 | - | ||
| 560 | - | (9) ANY OTHER ISSUES CON CERNING SERVICE MEMB ERS, INCLUDING 21 | |
| 561 | - | ISSUES UNIQUELY PERT AINING TO ACTIVE SER VICE MEMBERS THAT TH E 22 | |
| 562 | - | SECRETARY CONSIDERS A PPROPRIATE . 23 | |
| 563 | - | ||
| 564 | - | 9–957. 24 | |
| 565 | - | ||
| 566 | - | (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 25 | |
| 567 | - | ||
| 568 | - | (2) “Eligible veteran” means [an individual who: 26 | |
| 569 | - | ||
| 570 | - | (i) served on active duty in: 27 | |
| 571 | - | ||
| 572 | - | 1. the armed forces of the United States; 28 HOUSE BILL 448 13 | |
| 573 | - | ||
| 574 | - | ||
| 575 | - | ||
| 576 | - | 2. the National Guard; or 1 | |
| 577 | - | ||
| 578 | - | 3. a reserve component of the armed forces of the United 2 | |
| 579 | - | States; 3 | |
| 580 | - | ||
| 581 | - | (ii) served in a capacity other than for training; 4 | |
| 582 | - | ||
| 583 | - | (iii) was discharged or released under conditions other than 5 | |
| 584 | - | dishonorable; and] A VETERAN WHO : 6 | |
| 585 | - | ||
| 586 | - | [(iv) 1.] (I) is a resident of the State; or 7 | |
| 587 | - | ||
| 588 | - | [2.] (II) receives treatment or care from a U.S. Department 8 | |
| 589 | - | of Veterans Affairs or U.S. Department of Defense medical facility in the State. 9 | |
| 590 | - | ||
| 591 | - | 20–101. 10 | |
| 592 | - | ||
| 593 | - | (a) In Subtitles 1 through 11 of this title the following words have the meanings 11 | |
| 594 | - | indicated. 12 | |
| 595 | - | ||
| 596 | - | (f) “Military status” means the status of being: 13 | |
| 597 | - | ||
| 598 | - | (1) a member of the uniformed services[, as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101]; 14 | |
| 599 | - | ||
| 600 | - | (2) a member of a reserve component of the [armed forces of the United 15 | |
| 601 | - | States, as listed in 10 U.S.C. § 10101] UNIFORMED SERVICES ; or 16 | |
| 602 | - | ||
| 603 | - | (3) a dependent, as defined in 50 U.S.C. § 3911(4). 17 | |
| 604 | - | ||
| 605 | - | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 18 | |
| 606 | - | October 1, 2025. 19 | |
| 607 | - | ||
| 608 | - | ||
| 609 | - | ||
| 610 | - | ||
| 611 | - | Approved: | |
| 612 | - | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 613 | - | Governor. | |
| 614 | - | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 615 | - | Speaker of the House of Delegates. | |
| 616 | - | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 617 | - | President of the Senate. |