GOVERNMENT MARKERS FOR MARKED GRAVES AT PRIVATE CEMETERIES.

SEC. 502. GOVERNMENT MARKERS FOR MARKED GRAVES AT PRIVATE CEMETERIES. (a) Government Marker Benefit.—Section 2306 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection (d): “(d)(1) The Secretary shall furnish, when requested, an appropriate Government marker at the expense of the United States for the grave of an individual described in paragraph (2) or (5) of subsection (a) who is buried in a private cemetery, notwithstanding that the grave is marked by a headstone or marker furnished at private expense. Such a marker may be furnished only if the individual making the request for the Government marker certifies to the Secretary that the marker will be placed on the grave for which the marker is requested. “(2) Any marker furnished under this subsection shall be delivered by the Secretary directly to the cemetery where the grave is located. “(3) The authority to furnish a marker under this subsection expires on December 31, 2006. “(4) Not later than February 1, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the use of the authority under this subsection. The report shall include the following: 115 STAT. 995 “(A) The rate of use of the benefit under this subsection, shown by fiscal year. “(B) An assessment as to the extent to which markers furnished under this subsection are being delivered to cemeteries and placed on grave sites consistent with the provisions of this subsection. “(C) The Secretary’s recommendation for extension or repeal of the expiration date specified in paragraph (3).”. (b) Design of Marker.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking “subsection (a) or (b)” and inserting “subsection (a), (b), or (d)”. (c) Cross Reference Correction.—Subsection (a)(5) of such section is amended by striking “chapter 67” and inserting “chapter 1223”. (d) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to markers for the graves of individuals dying on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.