An Act To Improve the Veterans' Services Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0694
Committee Amendment CA_A_H192 (House)
Amends: 37-B MRSA §504

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 470, L.D. 694, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve the Veterans' Services Laws" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §504, sub-§4, ~ 
is enacted to read: 
H. A person is not eligible for interment under this chapter if the person has: 
(1) Been convicted of the crime of murder; 
(2) Been convicted of a crime in another jurisdiction punishable by a sentence of 
life imprisonment or death; 
(3) Been convicted ofa Class A or Class B crime under: 
(a) Title 17-A, chapter 11; 
(b) Title 17-A, chapter 12; or 
(c) Title 17-A, section 301, subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (3); 
(4) Been convicted ofa Class C crime under Title 17-A, section 853, subsection 
L 
(5) Been convicted of a military, tribal or federal offense requiring registration 
pursuant to the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, 
Public Law 109-248, 42 United States Code, Chapter 151; 
(6) Been convicted under any other jurisdiction's sex offender laws requiring the 
person to register for life; or 
(7) Been found to have committed any crime listed in subparagraphs (1) to (6) 
but has not been convicted because the person has not been available for trial due 
to the person's death or flight to avoid prosecution. 
A finding under this 
subparagraph must be made by the appropriate federal official. Any such finding 
may be based only upon a showing of clear and convincing evidence, after an 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ROFS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 470, L.D. 694 
opportunity for a hearing in a manner prescribed by the appropriate federal 
official. For purposes of this subparagraph, "appropriate federal official" means 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in the case of the National Cemetery 
Administration, or the Secretary of the Army, in the case of the Arlington 
National Cemetery.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces section 1 of the bill with a new provision regarding who is 
ineligible for interment in the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System. 
The 
amendment specifies that a person is not eligible for interment if the person has been 
convicted of the crime of murder; a crime in another jurisdiction punishable by a sentence 
of life imprisonment or death; a crime under any other jurisdiction's sex offender laws 
requiring the person to register for life; a military, tribal or federal offense requiring 
registration pursuant to the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, 
Public Law 109-248, 42 United States Code, Chapter 151; or a sexual offense requiring a 
person to register under Maine's sex offender registration acts for life, including a Class C 
crime under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A, section 853, subsection 1 or a Class 
A or Class B crime under: 
1. Title 17-A, chapter 11; 
2. Title 17-A, chapter 12; or 
3. Title 17-A, section 301, subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (3). 
The amendment also specifies that a person is not eligible for interment if the person 
has been found to have committed any of the previously listed crimes but has not been 
convicted because the person has not been available for trial due to the person's death or 
flight to avoid prosecution. Any such finding may be based only upon a showing of clear 
and convincing evidence, after an opportunity for a hearing in a manner prescribed by the 
appropriate federal official. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Fiscal Detail and Notes 
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Approved: 05/12/15 
;:Wac 
LD694 
LR 487(02) 
An Act To Improve the Veterans' Services Laws 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'iJ' CH-/9 ~ 
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Reduced risk ofloss offunds - Federal Expenditures Funds 
This bill prohibits, in accordance with federal law, intennent in the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System if a 
person has been convicted of certain crimes. Without this provision, federal funding could be withheld if the 
Veterans' Administration detennines an ineligible person has been interred. 
LR0487(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1