National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act of 2022
Jan 5, 2023
Statute: 136 Stat. 6278
Became law: Jan 5, 2023
Jan 5, 2023
Statute: 136 Stat. 6278
Became law: Jan 5, 2023
Summary
Changes rules for veteran burials, allows for natural burial options, and stops certain criminals from being buried in national cemeteries.
What problem does this solve?
Rules for national cemeteries needed updates to include modern burial practices and to fix issues for some groups of veterans. This law allows for eco-friendly burials, provides benefits to Native American veterans, and expands the list of crimes that prevent burial in these honored grounds.
What does this law do?
Expands burial prohibitions for certain crimes
Prevents individuals who committed a Federal or State crime that would make them a tier III sex offender from being buried or honored in a national cemetery. This applies even if the person was not convicted because they died or fled.
Authorizes green burials in national cemeteries
Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create special sections for 'green burials'. These burials do not use chemicals like embalming fluid and use only biodegradable containers.
Provides burial allowances for veterans on tribal lands
Pays burial allowances for veterans buried before March 15, 2022, in cemeteries on land owned by or held in trust for a tribal organization, if an allowance was not already paid.
Expands Fort Bliss National Cemetery
Allows the Secretary of the Army to transfer about two acres of land at Fort Bliss, Texas, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand the national cemetery there.
Changes rules for transferring federal land for cemeteries
Updates the process for transferring land from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Veterans Affairs for use as a national cemetery.
Who does this affect?
- Veterans and their families
- Native American tribal organizations
- Individuals who have committed serious crimes
What is the real world impact?
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Honors Native American veterans
Provides burial payments for veterans buried on tribal lands who were previously not covered. This corrects an oversight and ensures these veterans receive proper recognition for their service.
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Modernizes burial options
Allows for 'green burials' in national cemeteries. This gives veterans and their families an environmentally friendly option that avoids chemicals and uses natural materials.
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Protects the honor of national cemeteries
Stops people who have committed very serious crimes, like those that would classify them as a tier III sex offender, from being buried in a national cemetery. This is meant to preserve the cemeteries as places of honor.
When does this start?
This law became effective on January 5, 2023, when it was signed.