Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) Veterans Service Recognition Expansion Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4204
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-16]
Introduced: 2019-08-23
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: 2019-09-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-08-23
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) Veterans Service Recognition Expansion Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill expands eligibility for internment in national cemeteries to include certain individuals who the Department of Veterans Affairs determines served honorably with a special guerilla unit or irregular forces in Laos in support of the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975. Such individuals are eligible if, at the time of their death, they resided in the United States and were a U.S. citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4204 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 23, 2019 Mr. Costa (for himself, Mr. Young , Mr. Cook , and Mr. Langevin ) 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 Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) Veterans Service Recognition Expansion Act of 2019 . 2. Eligibility for internment in national cemeteries (a) In general Section 2402(a)(10) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (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 amendments made by this section shall have effect as if included in the enactment of section 251(a) of title II of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018 (division J of Public Law 115–141 ; 132 Stat. 824).