The bill, introduced by Therese M. Terlaje and Sabina F. Perez, seeks to amend specific sections of the Guam Code Annotated to redefine the terms "spouse," "surviving spouse," and "legal guardian" in relation to local veterans' benefits. Key changes include extending benefits for surviving spouses until they remarry or pass away, rather than limiting them to a ten-year period post-veteran's death. Additionally, the bill clarifies that benefits for legal guardians will continue as long as they have been responsible for the service member for over ten years, and it modifies the definition of a spouse to include those legally married under the law of the place where the marriage occurred.
Further amendments refine the definition of a surviving spouse to include those who were married at the time of the service member's death and lived with them continuously, with exceptions for separations due to misconduct. The definition of a legal guardian is also updated to specify that they must be responsible for a disabled service member who is divorced, legally separated, never married, or widowed. These changes aim to provide more inclusive and equitable access to benefits for veterans' families.
Statutes affected: Bill Text: