New Jersey Assembly Bill A2163

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24
• Report Pass: 5/6/24
• Engrossed: 9/26/24
• Refer: 9/30/24

Caption

Requires DMVA notify certain veteran organizations and county officers and municipal registers of names of persons buried or cremated in State veteran cemeteries.

Impact

The enactment of A2163 is poised to amend current regulations governing the DMVA, specifically the N.J.S.38A:3-6 statute. This change will facilitate more structured reporting of veteran deaths to relevant organizations, which is critical for maintaining accurate records and may assist veterans’ families in accessing services and support. The bill's emphasis on confidentiality also aligns with the sensitive nature of the information being handled, ensuring that personal details are protected under state privacy regulations. This confidentiality aspect is significant, as the reports and waivers will not be considered government records accessible under the Open Public Records Act.

Summary

A2163 is a bill proposed in New Jersey aimed at enhancing the communication of burial and cremation information regarding veterans. The bill mandates that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) provide monthly reports to designated veteran organizations, as well as county officers and municipal registers. These reports include the names of individuals who have been buried or cremated in state veteran cemeteries, updated on a monthly basis. A crucial aspect of the bill is that it ensures the confidentiality of this information unless a representative of the deceased individual has signed a waiver allowing release of the details.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intent to improve communication for veterans and their families, there may be points of contention regarding the balance between public access to information and the privacy of individuals. Some stakeholders may argue that the confidentiality measures could hinder transparency and accountability in how veteran burials are managed or reported. Thus, the bill’s framework raises important discussions about the privacy rights of deceased veterans versus the public's interest in memorializing and acknowledging their service.