PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 113-65.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Nov 18, 2013
Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act - Authorizes the appropriate federal official (either the Secretary of Veterans Affairs [VA] or the Secretary of the Army) to reconsider a decision to inter or honor the memory of a person in the National Cemetery Administration or in Arlington National Cemetery upon receiving information that such person may have committed a federal or state capital crime but was not convicted by reason of unavailability for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution.
Requires such official, upon finding, after an opportunity for a hearing, that the person committed but was not convicted of such crime, to provide notice to the individual's next of kin or other person authorized to arrange burial or memorialization of the deceased person of the decision to disinter such person's remains or remove a memorial headstone or marker. Allows such next of kin or other person 60 days to file a notice of disagreement, which shall initiate appellate review. Authorizes the appropriate federal official, when a decision becomes final, to disinter the remains or remove the memorial headstone or marker.
Modifies the exception to the prohibition against interment or memorialization in the National Cemetery System or Arlington National Cemetery of a person convicted of a federal or state capital crime to require receipt of written notice of a conviction before interment or memorialization takes place (currently, receipt of such notice is required before the appropriate federal official approves an application for interment or memorialization).
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: (1) to disinter the remains of Michael LaShawn Anderson from Fort Custer National Cemetery (Michigan); (2) to notify his next of kin of the impending disinterment; and (3) upon disinterment, to relinquish the remains to the next of kin or, if the next of kin of record is unavailable, arrange for the appropriate disposition of the remains.
People & committees
Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN] · R–IN
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 113-65.
Became Public Law No: 113-65.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 1 (Roll no. 634). (text: CR H7640-7641)
House roll call 634 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 - 1 (Roll no. 634).(text: CR H7640-7641)
House roll call 634 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7667-7668)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1471.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7640-7642)
Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8136)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8136)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8135-8136)
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-280.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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