Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a centralized system within the Department for managing information related to unclaimed remains of veterans . This system will serve as a repository for data received from various sources, including coroners, state governments, and funeral homes, concerning human remains suspected to belong to veterans. Its primary goal is to facilitate the identification of these veterans and their suitable next-of-kin. The system will store specific identifiers for remains in the VA's possession, such as the veteran's name, fingerprints, and estimated age, to confirm veteran status. To enhance identification efforts, the Secretary is directed to leverage existing memoranda of understanding with federal agencies like the Social Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Defense for data sharing. The bill also allows for the creation of new or modified agreements to further aid in identifying unclaimed veteran remains. This section of the Act is set to expire on the last day of the third fiscal year following its enactment, and the VA must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the system's implementation, outreach activities, and the number of veterans successfully identified.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Armed Forces and National Security
Locating Our Unclaimed Veterans Act
USA119th CongressHR-9006| House
| Updated: 6/30/2026
This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a centralized system within the Department for managing information related to unclaimed remains of veterans . This system will serve as a repository for data received from various sources, including coroners, state governments, and funeral homes, concerning human remains suspected to belong to veterans. Its primary goal is to facilitate the identification of these veterans and their suitable next-of-kin. The system will store specific identifiers for remains in the VA's possession, such as the veteran's name, fingerprints, and estimated age, to confirm veteran status. To enhance identification efforts, the Secretary is directed to leverage existing memoranda of understanding with federal agencies like the Social Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Defense for data sharing. The bill also allows for the creation of new or modified agreements to further aid in identifying unclaimed veteran remains. This section of the Act is set to expire on the last day of the third fiscal year following its enactment, and the VA must submit annual reports to Congress detailing the system's implementation, outreach activities, and the number of veterans successfully identified.