§295. Louisiana veterans cemeteries

            A. The Department of Veterans Affairs may construct and operate veterans cemeteries in Louisiana and may employ such personnel as are necessary for the proper management of the cemeteries. The department may acquire, by gift, purchase, or condemnation, lands necessary for the purposes of the cemeteries. Title to the properties shall be taken in the name of the state.

            B. Any person who is eligible for burial in a national veterans cemetery as provided in 38 U.S.C. 2402 and 38 C.F.R. Section 1.620 is eligible for burial in a state veterans cemetery.

            C. The department may charge a fee based upon the date of death of the decedent equal to the federal plot allowances for burials in a cemetery operated pursuant to this Section and may promulgate rules for the department to waive the fee, or any portion thereof, for financial hardship as defined and set forth in the rules promulgated by the department. The department may use the funds generated from the collection of burial fees to pay for costs associated with the operation of the cemeteries.

            D. The department may accept for the state all gifts, grants, and bequests for the purposes of construction, maintenance, restoration, preservation, and rehabilitation of the veterans cemeteries constructed under this Section.

            E. The department may adopt administrative rules regarding burial eligibility of individuals described in 38 U.S.C. 2408(i)(2).

            Acts 1999, No. 380, §1; Acts 2016, No. 154, §1; Acts 2023, No. 69, §1; Acts 2024, No. 78, §1.