This bill mandates that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) provide monthly reports to veteran organizations, county officers, and municipal registers regarding the names of individuals who have been buried or cremated in State veteran cemeteries during the previous month. To ensure privacy, the bill stipulates that a representative of the deceased must sign a waiver permitting the release of this information. Additionally, the DMVA is authorized to transmit and receive these reports and waivers electronically.
The bill also emphasizes that the information contained in the monthly reports and waivers will be confidential and will not be accessible under the Open Public Records Act. It defines a "veteran organization" as one that qualifies as a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or as a federally chartered Veterans Service Organization. This legislative change aims to enhance communication and support for veteran organizations while safeguarding the privacy of individuals and their families.