WeVote
Log In

Bill

CA

Bill

S 3022

Requires DMVA provide central website registry of unclaimed veteran cremains for veteran organization locating services; Requires funeral director report possession of unclaimed veteran cremains.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 2 co-sponsors

NJ S3022 creates a DMVA registry of unclaimed veteran cremains, requires funeral directors to report after one year, enabling qualified groups to arrange dignified disposition.

Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
#internet #veterans
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3022

Summary — New Jersey Senate Bill S3022 (Singer, Amato)

(Subject: Internet, Veterans — registry of unclaimed veteran cremains)

Note: There is an unrelated federal bill also numbered S.3022 (Save Our Seas 2.0). This summary covers the New Jersey state Senate bill S3022 introduced April 8, 2024 (Sen. Robert W. Singer, Sen. Carmen F. Amato, Jr.).

Purpose

To create a central, public-facing registry maintained by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) of unclaimed cremains of veterans and to require funeral directors to report when they possess unclaimed veteran cremains. The bill is intended to help veterans’ organizations locate and obtain unclaimed veterans’ cremains for dignified disposition and interment.

Key provisions

  • Requires the DMVA to provide and maintain a central website registry listing unclaimed veteran cremains to assist qualified veterans’ organizations in locating them.
  • Amends existing statutes (P.L.1983, c.385; P.L.2009, c.14; and N.J.S.38A:3-6) to add notification and registry requirements.
  • Requires a funeral director (licensed under P.L.1952, c.340) who, after due diligence, knowingly possesses unclaimed cremains of a veteran to notify DMVA in writing or electronically of the location and identity of those cremains one year after the date of cremation.
  • Confirms that qualified veterans’ organizations may receive unclaimed cremains that have not been claimed within one year after cremation, upon satisfactory certification that a “diligent effort” was made to identify, locate, and notify relatives/friends (diligent effort includes a certified letter, return receipt requested).
  • Defines “qualified veterans’ organization” as an organization qualifying under IRC §501(c)(3) or §501(c)(19), or a federally chartered veterans’ service organization.
  • Sets disposition options for veterans’ cremains taken by a qualified organization: scattering at sea or interment “in a dignified manner” at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, other State-operated veterans’ cemeteries, national veterans’ cemeteries, or local veterans’ memorial cemeteries if eligible.
  • Provides civil liability protection: funeral homes, funeral directors, mortuaries, and qualified veterans’ organizations are shielded from civil damages arising from disposal under the statute except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Who is affected

  • Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (must create/maintain the registry).
  • Funeral homes, mortuaries, and licensed funeral directors (notification and reporting obligations).
  • Qualified veterans’ organizations (gain access to unclaimed cremains for proper disposition).
  • Families and next-of-kin (procedures for notification and claim period clarified).
  • State and local veterans’ cemeteries (potential increase in interments).

Timing & status

  • Introduced in the New Jersey Senate: April 8, 2024.
  • Referred to the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
  • Sponsorship update recorded as of December 1, 2025.
  • Legislative status in provided materials: reported out of Senate Committee with amendments and placed on 2nd reading (per supplied activity record).

Practical implications / considerations

  • Establishing and maintaining an accurate, secure, and privacy-compliant public registry will require DMVA administrative resources and policies on what identifying information is posted.
  • Funeral directors will need procedures and recordkeeping to track the one-year claim period and to issue required notifications to DMVA.
  • Veterans’ organizations will gain a clearer pathway to ensure dignified disposition of unclaimed veterans’ cremains, potentially increasing interments and ceremonial services at veterans’ cemeteries.
  • Liability protections limit legal exposure for good-faith compliance; the standard of gross negligence/willful misconduct remains the exception.

If you want, I can draft a one-page explainer for funeral directors or an outline of implementation steps DMVA would need to set up the registry.

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

Sign in to ask a question.