United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021
Bill: S.1220 | Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth (D-MA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021
This bill recognizes service as a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, as active duty service. The active duty designation entitles qualifying individuals to certain benefits afforded to veterans, such as burial benefits (not including interment at Arlington National Cemetery) and honorary veteran status.
Under the bill, the Department of Defense (DOD) must issue individuals who served in the corps during the specified period a discharge from their service under honorable conditions if such a discharge is warranted based on the duration and nature of the service.
Such individuals are not entitled to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits aside from those related to burials and memorials.
The bill also authorizes DOD to produce a service medal or other commendation, memorial plaque, or grave marker to honor the individuals.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to recognize and honor the 
  service of individuals who served in the United States Cadet Nurse 
           Corps during World War II, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States Cadet Nurse Corps 
Service Recognition Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. RECOGNITION AND HONORING OF SERVICE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED 
              IN UNITED STATES CADET NURSE CORPS DURING WORLD WAR II.

    Section 106 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g)(1)(A) Service as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse 
Corps during the period beginning on July 1, 1943, and ending on 
December 31, 1948, of any individual who was honorably discharged 
therefrom pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be considered active duty 
for purposes of eligibility and entitlement to benefits under chapters 
23 and 24 of this title (including with respect to headstones and 
markers), other than such benefits relating to the interment of the 
individual in Arlington National Cemetery provided solely by reason of 
such service.
    ``(B)(i) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
this subsection, the Secretary of Defense shall issue to each 
individual who served as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse 
Corps during the period beginning on July 1, 1943, and ending on 
December 31, 1948, a discharge from such service under honorable 
conditions if the Secretary determines that the nature and duration of 
the service of the individual so warrants.
    ``(ii) A discharge under clause (i) shall designate the date of 
discharge. The date of discharge shall be the date, as determined by 
the Secretary, of the termination of service of the individual 
concerned as described in that clause.
    ``(2) An individual who receives a discharge under paragraph (1)(B) 
for service as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps shall be 
honored as a veteran but shall not be entitled by reason of such 
service to any benefit under a law administered by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, except as provided in paragraph (1)(A).
    ``(3) The Secretary of Defense may design and produce a service 
medal or other commendation, or memorial plaque or grave marker, to 
honor individuals who receive a discharge under paragraph (1)(B).''.
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