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2012 SESSION

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HB 439 Veterans; disposition and identification of unclaimed cremains.

Introduced by: Robert Tata | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Veterans; disposition of cremains.  Provides for a funeral director to provide the names and any other identifying information on unclaimed cremains to the Department of Veterans Services in order for the Department to determine if the unclaimed cremains are those of a veteran. Under the bill, commencing July 1, 2014, the Department shall notify the funeral director within 30 days of receipt of the information if the cremains are those of a veteran and whether such veteran is eligible for burial in a veterans cemetery. In addition, the bill provides that the names and any personal identifying information submitted by a funeral director to the Department are exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Veterans; disposition of cremains.  Requires a funeral director to determine whether unclaimed cremains are those of a veteran prior to disposing of such cremains, and provides that a funeral director may transfer cremains of a veteran to a veterans service organization for purposes of disposition. The bill also provides that absent bad faith or malicious intent, no funeral director who transfers the cremains of a veteran or veterans service organization that receives the cremains of a veteran for purposes of disposition shall be liable for civil negligence.