HR 1288 114th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Cemeteries and funerals Conflicts and wars Government information and archives Marine and inland water transportation Military personnel and dependents National Guard and reserves Personnel records Transportation employees Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs Veterans' medical care Veterans' organizations and recognition Veterans' pensions and compensation

World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act

Introduced: March 4, 2015 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Aug 13, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Mar 19, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Mar 4, 2015

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.

Mar 4, 2015

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to accept additional documentation for verifying that an individual performed honorable service as a coastwise merchant seaman during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires such documentation to include Social Security Administration records and validated testimony in the case of the absence of Coast Guard shipping or discharge forms, ship logbooks, documents, or other official employment records.

Requires the Secretary, when determining whether to recognize service allegedly performed during such period, to recognize masters of seagoing vessels or other command officers who were authorized to document an individual for purposes of hiring for or discharging from the merchant marine.

Considers any service so recognized as active-duty service for purposes of veterans' burial benefits. Makes such veterans eligible for any appropriate military medals, ribbons, and decorations. Requires the Secretary to verify that an individual performed such service under honorable conditions without regard to their sex, age, or disability during the service period.

What's happening now August 13, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Committees of jurisdiction 4