Veteran interment: veterans' remains organizations.

Existing law authorizes a cemetery authority, cemetery corporation or association, or other entity in possession of the cremated remains of a veteran or dependent of a veteran to release the remains to a veterans' remains organization, as defined, for interment after specified conditions are met, including possession of the remains for at least one year. This bill would require the public administrator of a county to make every reasonable effort to determine if the unclaimed remains of a decedent referred to the public administrator belong to a veteran or the dependent of a veteran. The bill would require the public administrator to work with specified entities, including the county veteran service officer, to determine if the remains belong to a veteran or the dependent of a veteran. The bill would require a county veteran service officer who determines that unclaimed remains are those of a veteran or dependent of a veteran, and that the remains meet the criteria for interment by a veterans' remains organization, to report specified information to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill would require the department to maintain a list of those unclaimed remains, and make that list available to veterans' remains organizations by phone or in person. By increasing the duties of counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.