State Government - Veterans - Burial at State Veterans' Cemeteries (Burial Equity Act)

SB 237 (Burial Equity Act) expands eligibility for burial at Maryland state veterans' cemeteries to include National Guard and military reserve members who completed their service contracts. It removes the prior residency requirement for these members (no longer needing to be Maryland residents when entering service, dying, or for two years before death). The bill establishes a burial fee for National Guard/reserve members and their eligible dependents equal to the National Cemetery Administration's annual plot allowance. This change directly affects Maryland National Guard and military reserve members and their families who were previously subject to residency rules.