INCREASE IN CERTAIN BURIAL AND FUNERAL BENEFITS AND PLOT ALLOWANCES FOR VETERANS.

SEC. 501. INCREASE IN CERTAIN BURIAL AND FUNERAL BENEFITS AND PLOT ALLOWANCES FOR VETERANS.(a) Increase in Burial and Funeral Expenses for Deaths in Department Facilities.—Paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (a) of section 2303 is amended by striking “$300” and inserting “$700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c))”.(b) Increase in Amount of Plot Allowances.—Subsection (b) of such section is amended by striking “$300” both places it appears and inserting “$700 (as increased from time to time under subsection (c))”.(c) Annual Adjustment.—Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:“(c) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) in the maximum amount of burial and funeral expenses payable under subsection (a) and in the maximum amount of the plot or internment allowance payable under subsection (b), equal to the percentage by which—“(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the increase is made, exceeds“(2) the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).”.(d) Effective Date.—(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2011.(2) Prohibition on cost-of-living adjustment for fiscal year 2012.—No adjustments shall be made under section 2303(c) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (c), for fiscal year 2012.124 STAT. 2882