Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act

Bill: 115-hr-4716
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-16]
Introduced: 2017-12-21
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia

Cemeteries and funerals

Conflicts and wars

Laos

Military personnel and dependents

Veterans' organizations and recognition

Vietnam
Latest action: action_date: 2017-12-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-12-21
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act</strong></p> <p> This bill authorizes burial in any open national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration of the remains of any individual: (1) who was naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 and who resided in the United States at the time of death; or (2) who the Department of Veterans Affairs determines served honorably with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and who, at the time of death, resided in the United States and was a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4716 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 21, 2017 Mr. Costa (for himself, Mr. Cook , Mr. Ruiz , and Mr. Young of Alaska ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to inter in national cemeteries individuals who supported the United States in Laos during the Vietnam War era, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hmong Veterans’ Service Recognition Act . 2. Eligibility for interment in national cemeteries (a) In general Section 2402(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (10) Any individual— (A) who— (i) was naturalized pursuant to section 2(1) of the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 ( Public Law 106–207 ; 8 U.S.C. 1423 note); and (ii) at the time of the individual’s death resided in the United States; or (B) who— (i) the Secretary determines served honorably with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the Armed Forces of the United States at any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 7, 1975; and (ii) at the time of the individual’s death— (I) was a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; and (II) resided in the United States. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an individual dying on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.