Committee approves bill to expand interment eligibility at state veterans cemeteries

House Bill 191, presented by Representative Aaron Thompson, was advanced unanimously by the Senate VMAP Committee. The bill seeks to modify state statute to mirror federal changes and allow additional interments in Kentucky’s five state veterans cemeteries.

Representative Aaron Thompson said the bill would align Kentucky law with what he described as the federal "bridal garden reserve act of, 2022," and allow a narrow class of National Guard and Reserve members, their eligible spouses and dependents, to be eligible for burial benefits even if they were never called to federal active duty under Title 10. Director Al Duncan of the Division of State Veteran Cemeteries and Silas Session, Executive Director of the Office of Kentucky Veteran Services, joined Thompson to describe the population affected.

Al Duncan told the committee the change would extend benefits to service members who completed their initial enlistment in the Guard or Reserve with an other-than-dishonorable discharge and who performed state-activated service under Title 32 for events such as floods or tornado response. He said the eligibility follows National Cemetery Administration guidance: dependent children must be under age 21 to qualify or under age 26 if enrolled in school and unmarried; an adult child who has married or permanently moved out is no longer a dependent; a small class of adult children with permanent disability who remain dependent remain eligible.

Senator Higdon asked about minimum service requirements; Duncan said the bill requires completion of the first enlistment and an other-than-dishonorable discharge. Senator Boswell asked how far dependency extends; Duncan reiterated the age-and-student rules and the narrow disability exception.

The committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. Chair Deneen thanked the sponsor and the witnesses and said the measure will move on with favorable consideration to the full Senate.