HR-9035 : Still Just a Bill

The ROTC and DEP Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 9035) aims to expand eligibility for certain benefits arising from the death of a member of the Armed Forces. The proposed changes include:

• Death Gratuity: Amends title 10, United States Code, to remove the requirement that a member must have served for more than 13 days for their survivors to be eligible for a death gratuity.
• Recovery, Care, and Disposition of Remains: Expands eligibility for these services to include any person whose death entitles a survivor to a death gratuity.
• Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI):
  • Expands SGLI coverage to include Reserve members enlisted under section 513 of title 10, regardless of duty status.
  • Updates language regarding advanced training to align with section 2101 of title 10.
• Casualty Assistance Officer Support: Broadens the scope of assistance provided by casualty assistance officers to include survivors entitled to a death gratuity and replaces "spouses and dependents" with "survivors" to be more inclusive.

These amendments will apply to deaths occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act.