This bill amends existing Minnesota statutes to enhance support for veterans and their families, particularly regarding honor guard details at funerals and eligibility for burial in state veterans cemeteries. It allows the commissioner of veterans affairs to reimburse local units of congressionally chartered veterans organizations up to $50 for providing honor guard services at the funerals of specific veterans, including those who served in the Secret War in Laos and members of reserve components of the armed forces. Additionally, the bill modifies eligibility criteria for burial in state veterans cemeteries, expanding it to include certain members of the Army and Air National Guard, as well as their spouses and children, while establishing a verification process to ensure applicants have not been convicted of "stolen valor."

The bill also introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding eligibility, such as specifying what constitutes an honorable discharge and defining terms like "willful misconduct." It removes previous references to spouses and dependent children in the context of burial fees, instead focusing on "qualified persons" under the new eligibility criteria. Furthermore, it mandates that the commissioner of veterans affairs create a fee schedule for interments and allows for the waiver or reduction of fees for indigent eligible persons. Overall, the bill aims to provide greater recognition and support for veterans and their families in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
2nd Engrossment: 197.231