SPC Christian Ward Act

Bill: 117-hr-3363
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6]
Introduced: 2021-05-20
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals

Civil actions and liability

Government liability

Military personnel and dependents

Military procurement, research, weapons development

National Guard and reserves

Public contracts and procurement
Latest action: action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-05-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>SPC Christian Ward Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the military branches to pay the expenses to deliver the personal effects of a deceased service member (including the reserve components) to the next of kin or other appropriate person.</p> <p>In situations where a military branch has entered into an agreement with an entity to carry out such deliveries, the branch concerned must pursue a claim against the entity when it fails to carry out any delivery. The branch must also reimburse the next of kin or other appropriate person if the entity fails to make a delivery because of the loss or destruction of the personal effects. </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3363 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 20, 2021 Mr. Johnson of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary concerned to pursue a claim against an entity hired by the Secretary concerned to return the personal effects of a deceased member of the Armed Forces to the next of kin.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the SPC Christian Ward Act . 2. Claims relating to the return of personal effects of a deceased member of the Armed Forces Section 1482(a) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (11) (A) Delivery of personal effects of a decedent to the next of kin or other appropriate person. (B) If the Secretary concerned enters into an agreement with an entity to carry out subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned shall pursue a claim against such entity that arises from the failure of such entity to carry out such subparagraph. (C) If an entity described in subparagraph (B) fails to carry out subparagraph (A) because of the loss or destruction of the personal effects of a decedent, the Secretary concerned shall reimburse the next of kin or other appropriate person the amount of the value of such personal effects. .