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Bill

A 3844

Permits interment of military working dogs at State-operated veterans' memorial cemeteries.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Aura Dunn and 2 co-sponsors

Allows military working dogs that served with the DoD to be buried at New Jersey state veterans’ cemeteries, including Doyle Cemetery.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · A 3844

Overview

A 3844 (Session 222, New Jersey) would authorize interment of military working dogs at state-operated veterans’ memorial cemeteries, including the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill’s primary aim is to recognize and extend burial eligibility to military working dogs that served or currently serve with the Department of Defense.
  • It ensures that these dogs can be interred alongside veterans at state-operated veterans’ memorial cemeteries in New Jersey.

Key provisions

  • Eligibility for interment:
    • Military working dogs shall be eligible for interment at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery.
    • Eligibility also extends to any other state-operated veterans’ memorial cemetery within New Jersey.
  • Definition:
    • A “military working dog” is defined as a dog that performs, or has performed, a service for the Department of Defense. Services listed include, but are not limited to: tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, and attack.
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

What would be affected

  • Military working dogs that served with the Department of Defense and are interred or planned to be interred at state-operated veterans’ cemeteries in New Jersey.
  • State-operated veterans’ memorial cemeteries, particularly the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, which would implement interment eligibility for dogs.
  • Operational procedures for interment at these cemeteries may be updated to accommodate canine burials (though specific procedures are not detailed in the bill text).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral:
    • Introduced on January 13, 2026.
    • Referred to the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  • Enactment timing:
    • The bill states it takes effect immediately upon enactment (no delayed or phased effective date).

Sponsor information

  • Co-sponsors: Aura Dunn, Gerry Scharfenberger, Mike Inganamort.

Summary in plain language

This bill would allow military working dogs that served the U.S. Department of Defense to be buried at New Jersey state veterans’ cemeteries, including the main Doyle Cemetery and any other state-operated veterans’ memorial cemeteries. A “military working dog” is any dog that performed services such as tracking, detecting explosives, patrol, search and rescue, or attack. The measure becomes effective as soon as it is enacted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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