Bertie’s Respect for National Cemeteries Act

This bill, known as the Bertie's Respect for National Cemeteries Act, seeks to enhance the enforcement of prohibitions against interment or memorialization in national cemeteries for individuals who have committed federal or state capital crimes. It amends existing law to require appropriate federal officials to take every reasonable action , including searching public records, to ensure that only eligible persons are interred in National Cemetery Administration or Arlington National Cemetery facilities. The legislation also clarifies the authority to disinter remains, specifying that this power applies to interments or memorializations conducted on or after the original enactment date of the prohibition. Furthermore, a specific provision directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of George E. Siple from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. The Secretary must notify Siple's next-of-kin of this impending action and either relinquish the remains to them or arrange for their appropriate disposition if the next-of-kin are unavailable.