HB480 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DELAWARE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Bush
Last action: 2026-06-10
Official status: House Veterans Affairs 6/10/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text shows this is an amendment to existing law; it does not create new eligibility rules but adds a waiver option.

HB480: Changes Rules for Burial at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery

This bill gives the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs the power to allow burial in the state veterans cemetery for National Guard members who served less than 20 years.

What This Bill Does

Amends Title 20 of the Delaware Code regarding the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Allows the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs to grant waivers for eligibility requirements at their discretion.
Permits burial in the cemetery for members of the Delaware National Guard who served less than 20 years if a waiver is granted.

Who It Names or Affects

Members of the Delaware National Guard who have served fewer than 20 years.
The Secretary of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many waivers can be granted or what specific reasons are needed for approval.
An effective date has not been set in the provided text.

Bill History

2026-06-10 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Veterans Affairs Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DELAWARE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY.
This Act gives the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs discretion to allow interment of a member of the Delaware National Guard who served for less than 20 years.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Bush & Sen. Hoffner

Rep. Carson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 480

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DELAWARE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1204, Title 20 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1204. Eligibility for burial.

(a) Eligibility for interment in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery is established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA Directive 3210) with the following exceptions:

(1) The Veterans Commission of Delaware may impose a residency requirement for interment, except that any person who, for at least 20 years, was a member of the Delaware National Guard or a reserve unit located within Delaware shall not be subject to a residency requirement.

(2) Any person who retired honorably as a member of the National Guard or Reserve forces of the United States shall be eligible.

(3) Any person who served as a Merchant Marine for a minimum period of 2 years between December 7, 1941, and August 15, 1945, shall be eligible.

(4) The Secretary of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs may, at the Secretary’s discretion, grant a waiver of the eligibility requirements to allow interment of a member of the Delaware National Guard who served for less than 20 years.

SYNOPSIS

This Act gives the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs discretion to allow interment of a member of the Delaware National Guard who served for less than 20 years.