Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act

1/11/2023, 1:28 PM

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.

Congress
114

Number
HR - 1598

Introduced on
2015-03-25

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/25/2015

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

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.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend title 38, United States Code, to amend the definition of the term "spouse" to recognize new State definitions of such term for the purpose of the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Marriage and family status
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary5/8/2015

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 th...


Latest Action4/7/2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.