Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions for graves, amending title 38, United States Code. It specifically includes certain enslaved individuals who either accompanied a service member or Civil War veteran, or served in the Armed Forces (or Confederate Army or Navy) in place of another. The bill also extends eligibility to individuals who performed military functions despite being prohibited from formal service due to Federal, State, or Tribal law based on race, gender, sex, or ethnicity. For enslaved individuals who served in Confederate forces, the furnished headstone, marker, or medallion must include language indicating they were forced to support their own enslavement . Requests for these memorials can only be made by a direct descendant or an individual who has made a reasonable attempt to secure consent from a known direct descendant. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is mandated to prescribe implementing regulations within one year, informed by input from Civil War historians, civil rights organizations, and direct descendants. These regulations will define "military function" and establish the types of evidence the Secretary may consider for determining eligibility and family relationships, such as pay records, regimental histories, and family documents.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Armed Forces and National Security
Headstones for Honor Act
USA119th CongressHR-6032| House
| Updated: 11/17/2025
This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions for graves, amending title 38, United States Code. It specifically includes certain enslaved individuals who either accompanied a service member or Civil War veteran, or served in the Armed Forces (or Confederate Army or Navy) in place of another. The bill also extends eligibility to individuals who performed military functions despite being prohibited from formal service due to Federal, State, or Tribal law based on race, gender, sex, or ethnicity. For enslaved individuals who served in Confederate forces, the furnished headstone, marker, or medallion must include language indicating they were forced to support their own enslavement . Requests for these memorials can only be made by a direct descendant or an individual who has made a reasonable attempt to secure consent from a known direct descendant. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is mandated to prescribe implementing regulations within one year, informed by input from Civil War historians, civil rights organizations, and direct descendants. These regulations will define "military function" and establish the types of evidence the Secretary may consider for determining eligibility and family relationships, such as pay records, regimental histories, and family documents.