Connecticut2026Passed Legislature
SB00282
Funding and Rules for Caring for Veterans' Graves
Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 4:33 AM
In one sentence
This law gives money to towns to fix neglected veterans' graves and creates a way for people to report burial sites that are not being cared for.
What it does
- Requires the leader of each city or town to appoint three veteran citizens annually to check on wartime veterans' graves.
- Allows towns to pay for grave care if private owners do not, with costs limited to standard cemetery fees unless a grave has settled significantly into the ground.
- Transfers $100,000 from the General Fund into a special account to help municipalities fix neglected cemeteries.
- Creates an online form where anyone can report a veteran's grave that is not being cared for properly.
- Requires state officials to notify town leaders within seven days after receiving a report about a neglected grave.
Who it affects
- Cities and towns in Connecticut
- Veterans who served during wartime periods before or after the American Revolution, including those from English colonies prior to 1776, Connecticut state forces, or U.S. armed forces.
- The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
- Cemetery trustees and managers
Limits and unknowns
- Towns cannot be sued for civil or criminal reasons if they try to fix up neglected cemeteries.
- Money paid by towns usually cannot exceed normal yearly care fees unless a grave has settled into the ground significantly.
- The law does not specify how much money each town will receive from the $100,000 fund.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Neglected Cemetery Account
- A special fund that holds money to help towns repair overgrown or broken-down burial grounds.
- Chief Executive Authority
- The main leader of a city or town, such as the mayor or head selectman.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
To implement the recommendations of the working group established pursuant to special act 23-25 for the upkeep of veterans' graves.
Official activity
Bill history
- Signed by the Governor
- Transmitted to the Secretary of State
- Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
- Public Act 26-111LCO
- House Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A
- House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
- In Concurrence
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
- House Calendar Number 551
- Joint FavorableAPP
- Filed with Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- New File by Committee on Appropriations
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Rules Suspended
- Senate Adopted Senate Amendment Schedule A 5334
- Senate Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A
- Rules Suspended, Transmitted to the House
- Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations
- Immediate Transmittal