H.R. 6032 — Headstones for Honor Act

This section expands eligibility for government-furnished headstones, markers, or medallions under VA authorities (38 U.S.C. §2306) for unmarked graves to include (1) certain enslaved individuals determined by the Secretary to have accompanied a member of the Armed Forces or Civil War veteran during service or served in the Armed Forces (or Confederate Army or Navy) in lieu of another individual and (2) individuals determined by the Secretary to have performed a military function while prohibited from serving by federal, state, or tribal law on the basis of race, gender, sex, or ethnicity. (As background, current law authorizes the Secretary to provide such items at government expense for unmarked graves of veterans eligible for national cemetery burial, certain family members, Civil War soldiers, and others; it also authorizes memorial markers for those whose remains are unavailable.) The section further (1) requires headstones, markers, or medallions for enslaved individuals described above who served in Confederate forces to include language denoting they were forced to support their own enslavement; (2) limits requests for such items for those individuals to direct descendants or persons who have reasonably attempted to obtain descendant consent; (3) directs the Secretary to prescribe implementing regulations within one year of enactment, informed by input from Civil War historians, civil rights organizations, and descendants, that define "military function" and specify evidence such as pay records, regimental histories, and family records; (4) makes the amendments effective on the earlier of the regulations issuance or one year after enactment; and (5) requires a report to the congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees on implementation within 15 months of enactment. It also makes a conforming change to include Confederate Navies alongside Armies in existing Civil War eligibility.