Bill Summary for H 178 (2023-2024)

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Summary date: 

Feb 22 2023

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
House Bill 178 (Public) Filed Wednesday, February 22, 2023
AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS TO ENHANCE OVERALL MAINTENANCE OF THE STATE'S VETERANS CEMETERIES.
Intro. by Wheatley, Penny.

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Bill summary

Requires the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (Department) to ensure that all the State’s four veterans' cemeteries are staffed by those able to properly operate and maintain the cemeteries. Requires the Department to identify and correct the following issues: (1) undue delays in installing headstones; (2) damage to headstones, temporary markers, and graves caused by lawn equipment or vehicles; (3) drainage and flooding problems; (4) scattered debris and other items; and (5) overall grounds appearance, including bare patches due to lack of grass. Authorizes the Department to permit auxiliary and active military groups and other fraternal organizations to volunteer to perform maintenance projects in the State’s veterans' cemeteries.

Requires the Department to adjust its policies to accommodate family requests relating to funeral services. Requires the Department to review its current policies related to (1) chapel only services, (2) the time allotted for funeral services, (3) the number of attendees allowed to attend funeral services, and (4) barring visitation of grave sites while a funeral is being held.

Sets reporting requirement on the Department’s findings on both the issues it identified and corrected as well as any policy changes it made pursuant to this act to the specified NCGA committee chairs by October 1, 2023.