Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act This bill amends the definition of spouse for purposes of veterans' benefits to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recognize a marriage based on the law of the state where the marriage occurred. When a marriage occurs outside a state, the VA shall recognize it if the marriage is lawful in the place where it occurs and could have been entered into under the laws of any state. The bill also amends the definitions of spouse and surviving spouse to remove the requirement that the spouse be of the opposite sex.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Armed Forces and National Security
Marriage and family statusMilitary personnel and dependentsVeterans' pensions and compensation
Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act
USA116th CongressHR-1030| House
| Updated: 10/22/2019
Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act This bill amends the definition of spouse for purposes of veterans' benefits to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recognize a marriage based on the law of the state where the marriage occurred. When a marriage occurs outside a state, the VA shall recognize it if the marriage is lawful in the place where it occurs and could have been entered into under the laws of any state. The bill also amends the definitions of spouse and surviving spouse to remove the requirement that the spouse be of the opposite sex.