A-2493

Sponsored by: Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex), Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER District 28 (Essex), Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR. District 7 (Burlington), Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN District 20 (Union), Senator ANDREW ZWICKER District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblymen Space, Wirths, Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Murphy, Speight, Assemblyman Moen, Assemblywoman Lopez, Senators Cruz-Perez, Johnson, Durr and O'Scanlon

STATEMENT

This bill defines indigent veteran for county veteran interment purposes. Current law does not define indigent, but under this bill, “indigent” will mean a person who has an income that is below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. “Poverty level” will mean the official poverty level based on family size established and adjusted under the “Community Services Block Grant Act,” of Pub.L.97-35 (42 U.S.C. s.9902(2)).

The bill adds National cemeteries as a permissible burial site for a deceased indigent veteran. The bill also changes the discharge status of the veteran from honorable discharge to other than dishonorable, encompassing a larger number of veterans.