Bill > S2309

This bill aims to address delays in certifying death certificates for veterans by requiring physicians or nurse practitioners employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to certify a veteran's death within 48 hours of learning about it. The bill highlights that some states and counties have experienced significant delays in death certificate signing, with some cases lasting up to eight weeks, which prevents timely burial and access to survivor benefits. If a VA physician or nurse practitioner cannot certify the death within the specified timeframe, a local coroner or medical examiner may do so. The VA Secretary must submit an annual report to congressional veterans' affairs committees detailing compliance, including the percentage of cases where death was certified on time, the number of cases where certification was not possible, and the most common reasons for non-compliance. The bill includes a critical provision ensuring that VA employees are not required to take actions that would violate local licensing or certification laws and regulations, providing flexibility while still emphasizing the importance of timely death certification for veterans.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2309/all-info