General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5293 seeks to enhance the support and recognition of veterans in Connecticut by amending existing laws related to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the establishment of veterans' cemeteries. The bill proposes the transfer of approximately thirty acres of land from the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services to the Veterans' Home and Hospital Commission for the creation of a veterans' cemetery. Furthermore, it mandates that by July 1, 2027, the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs must designate or acquire additional land for the establishment and maintenance of a veterans' cemetery, supplementing the newly created site.

In addition to land acquisition, the bill revises the definition of "veteran" and outlines the burial request process for veterans and their families, allowing for multiple burial sites by replacing "veterans' cemetery" with "one of the veterans' cemeteries." It also includes provisions for spouses and next of kin to apply for burial rights, ensuring requests are honored under specified conditions. Notably, the bill accommodates veterans who served in the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units by allowing them burial in a consecrated area within the designated cemeteries. The changes are set to take effect in stages, with the first section on July 1, 2026, and the second on July 1, 2027, ensuring that veterans have a respectful final resting place that aligns with their religious beliefs.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-122a, 27-122b