Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to ensure veterans’ deaths are certified promptly by requiring VA physicians and nurse practitioners to certify a veteran’s death within 48 hours of learning of the death, or a coroner/medical examiner to do so if the VA provider cannot. It also mandates the VA to report annually on compliance with these certification timelines and identify the reasons for any delays. The goal is to prevent delays in burial and access to survivor benefits for veterans.
Key provisions
- VA physicians and nurse practitioners must certify a veteran’s death within 48 hours.
- If a VA provider cannot certify within 48 hours, a coroner or medical examiner can.
- The VA must submit annual reports to Congress on certification compliance.
- Reports will include data on compliance rates and reasons for non-compliance.
- The bill allows VA employees to follow local laws and regulations.
- The bill applies to veterans who die from natural causes.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs employees (physicians and nurse practitioners)
- Coroners and Medical Examiners
- Families of deceased veterans
- Congress (through reporting requirements)
Notable changes
- Establishes a specific timeframe (48 hours) for death certification by VA providers.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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8 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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