Bill Text: VA SB433 | 2012 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Veterans; determination of status of unclaimed cremains.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-06 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0120) [SB433 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-SB433-Prefiled.html
12103437D Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §54.1-2808.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-2808.2 as follows: §54.1-2808.1. Disposition of cremains.
For the purposes of this section, "contracting agent" means any person, organization, association, institution, or group of persons who contracts with a funeral director or funeral establishment for funeral services. §54.1-2808.2. Identification of unclaimed cremains of veterans. A. If the contracting agent has not claimed the cremains or instructed the funeral director as to final disposition within 60 days from the date of cremation, the funeral director shall provide names and any other identifying information of the unclaimed cremains to the Department of Veterans Services, in order for the Department to determine if the unclaimed cremains are those of a veteran. The names and any personal identifying information submitted by a funeral director to the Department of Veterans Services in compliance with this section shall be exempt from disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§2.2-3700 et seq.). B. The Department of Veterans Services shall notify the funeral director if the cremains are those of a veteran, and if so, whether such veteran is eligible for burial in a veterans cemetery in order to permit the transfer of the unclaimed cremains to a veterans cemetery . C. No disposal of the unclaimed cremains of an eligible veteran shall be made until the funeral director has notified the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. |