Bill > HB2319

This bill modifies regulations regarding access to veterans' discharge papers stored in county clerk records. Specifically, the bill narrows who can request and inspect these discharge papers, limiting access primarily to the veteran themselves or a licensed funeral establishment seeking to verify veteran status for burial benefits. Previously, spouses, legal guardians, personal representatives, county veterans' service officers, and Department of Veterans' Affairs representatives could also request these documents. The bill also amends public records disclosure rules to explicitly exempt veterans' discharge papers from the standard 25-year public disclosure statute, providing additional privacy protections for veterans' personal information. County clerks are still required to maintain records of inspection requests for 10 years and can adopt additional policies to protect these sensitive documents from misuse. The overall intent appears to be increasing privacy and controlling access to veterans' personal records by restricting who can view discharge papers and under what circumstances.

Military Affairs and Security

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2319