§ 20-17-1401. Title
This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Missing in America Project Act”.
§ 20-17-1402. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) “Authorizing agent” means the person who assumes original and lawful possession of a body under § 20-17-102 or § 20-17-701 et seq.; (2) “DD Form 93” means a United States Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data or its successor form; (3) (A) “Funeral establishment” means an entity or […]
§ 20-17-1403. Verification that the decedent was a veteran
(a) (1) The authorizing agent shall conduct a diligent search with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to determine whether the decedent was a veteran if: (A) The decedent is eighteen (18) years of age or older; and (B) The remains are determined to be unclaimed remains. (2) […]
§ 20-17-1404. Authority to cremate unclaimed remains — Retention of the remains
(a) An authorizing agent may authorize the cremation of an unclaimed deceased veteran’s body. (b) A funeral establishment that accepts the unclaimed remains of a veteran: (1) Shall place the cremated remains in a container marked with the proper identification of the decedent; (2) (A) Shall retain or arrange for the retention of the cremated […]
§ 20-17-1405. Verification that unclaimed remains are a veteran’s — Veteran status unknown at the time of final disposition of the body
A funeral establishment that is also the authorizing agent that determines the final disposition of the remains of a decedent and directs that the body of the decedent be cremated: (1) Shall place the cremated remains in a container marked with the proper identification of the decedent; (2) Shall store the cremated remains for five […]
§ 20-17-1406. Transfer of a veteran’s remains
(a) (1) If the authorizing agent or funeral establishment determines that the unclaimed remains are those of a veteran, the remains may be relinquished to the control of: (A) A veterans service organization; or (B) The Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) The veterans service organization or Department […]
§ 20-17-1407. Nonliability
A person, funeral establishment, veterans service organization, or Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs shall not be civilly liable for possessing, delivering, cremating, storing, disposing, or handling in any lawful manner the remains of a decedent under this subchapter.
§ 20-17-1408. Reimbursement
(a) If a deceased veteran has an estate, the estate shall be responsible for reimbursing a funeral establishment or authorized agent for all reasonable expenses incurred in relation to the disposition of the remains of the deceased veteran. (b) The Department of Veterans Affairs and county veterans’ service officers shall provide technical assistance and information […]