S. 2807: Restoring the Sanctity of Public Entombments, Cemeteries, and Tributes Act of 2025

This bill, officially titled the "Restoring the Sanctity of Public Entombments, Cemeteries, and Tributes Act of 2025," aims to amend existing laws pertaining to the interment of individuals in national cemeteries. Here are the key points of the legislation:

Modification of Reconsideration Authority

The bill modifies the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of the Army to reconsider prior decisions regarding the burial of remains or the honoring of a person's memory in national cemeteries. Specifically:

• The legislation allows for reconsideration of decisions made on or after June 18, 1973.
• It updates certain legal references related to sex offender classification to ensure consistency with definitions in existing laws.

Repeal of Previous Legislation

The bill also repeals a specific section of a previous law, known as the Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act, making changes that may streamline the processes for interment and memorials in national cemeteries.

Overall Purpose

The overarching purpose of the bill is to restore and ensure respect for the decisions surrounding the entombment and memorialization of individuals in national cemeteries, potentially addressing concerns about previous classifications and policies related to these decisions.

Implications

The modification of reconsideration authority could impact how decisions are made regarding who can be buried in national cemeteries, particularly in relation to individuals who may have been classified under certain conditions, including those categorized as sex offenders. The bill seeks to clarify and potentially expand the eligibility for memorial honors in these significant national sites.

Relevant Companies