MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES ON ELIGIBILITY FOR AND REPLACEMENT OF GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTONS.

SEC. 581. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES ON ELIGIBILITY FOR AND REPLACEMENT OF GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTONS. (a) Expansion of Authority To Determine Next of Kin for Issuance.—Section 1126 of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking “widows, parents, and” in the matter preceding paragraph (1); (2) in subsection (b), by striking “the widow and to each parent and” and inserting “each”; and (3) in subsection (d)— (A) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) and inserting the following new paragraph (1): “(1) The term ‘next of kin’ means individuals standing in such relationship to members of the armed forces described in subsection (a) as the Secretaries concerned shall jointly specify in regulations for purposes of this section.” ; and (B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5), respectively. (b) Replacement.—Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking “and payment” and all that follows and inserting “and without cost.”.