PUBLIC LAW 105-368 —NOV. 11, 1998 112 STAT. 3335 "(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible individual is any of the following: "(A) A veteran. "(B) The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran. "(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the remains of an individual shall be considered to be unavailable if the individual's remains— "(A) have not been recovered or identified; "(B) were buried at sea, whether by the individual's own choice or otherwise; "(C) were donated to science; or "(D) were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment of any portion of the ashes. "(4) For purposes of this subsection: "(A) The term 'veteran' includes an individual who dies in the active military, naval, or air service. "(B) The term 'surviving spouse' includes an unremarried surviving spouse whose subsequent remarriage was terminated by death or divorce.". (b) ALTERNATIVE COMMEMORATION FOR CERTAIN SPOUSES.— Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: "(e)( 1) When the Secretary has furnished a headstone or marker under subsection (a) for the unmarked grave of an individual, the Secretary shall, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to that headstone or marker rather than furnishing a separate headstone or marker under that subsection for the surviving spouse of such individual. "(2) When the Secretary has furnished a memorial headstone or marker under subsection (b) for purposes of commemorating a veteran or an individual who died in the active military, naval, or air service, the Secretary shall, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to that headstone or marker rather than furnishing a separate memorial headstone or marker under that subsection for the surviving spouse of such individual.". (c) MEMORIAL AREAS. —Section 2403(b) is amended to read as follows: "(b) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, group Regulations, memorials may be placed to honor the memory of groups of individuals referred to in subsection (a), and appropriate memorial headstones and markers may be placed to honor the memory of individuals referred to in subsection (a) and section 2306(b) of this title.". (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.— The amendments made by subsections 38 USC 2306 (a) and (b) shall apply to deaths occurring after the date of the note. enactment of this Act. SEC. 462. MERCHANT MARINER BURIAL AND CEMETERY BENEFITS. (a) BENEFITS.—Part G of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 111 the following new chapter: " CHAPTER 112—MERCHANT MARINER BENEFITS "Sec. "11201. Eligibility for veterans' burial and cemetery benefits. "11202. Qualified service. "11203. Documentation of qualified service. "11 204. Processing fees. 59-194O-98 - 19:QL3Part5
�
