By Sean Whaley, Nevada News Bureau: Gov. Brian Sandoval today signed a bill requiring funeral directors to report to the Office of Veterans’ Services if they obtain possession of unclaimed human remains they know or reasonably believe to be that of a veteran.
Sandoval signed Assembly Bill 124 in a ceremony before a full house of veterans at the Kit Carson VFW Post 3726 in the capital.
Sandoval was joined by Director of the Office of Veterans’ Services Caleb Cage for the signing ceremony, which came on Veterans and Military Day at the Nevada Legislature.
AB124 was sought by the interim Legislative Committee on Senior Citizens, Veterans, and Adults with Special Needs. Once a funeral director notifies the veterans agency of the possession of a veteran’s remains, the agency will ensure the deceased veteran receives a proper burial.
In testifying on the bill earlier this session, Cage said there are cremated veterans’ remains in storage at funeral homes because there is no family to claim them. Several other states, including Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado, have passed similar legislation.
