When the grave of any person who, in time of war, served in the military or naval forces of the English colonies in America, prior to 1776, or the grave of any veteran, which is located in this state, is unmarked by a suitable headstone, or is marked by a bronze marker erected by this state, the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs shall, upon application made not later than two years after the death of such veteran or two years from the interment of the remains of such veteran from abroad, provide payment for the costs of erecting headstones provided by the federal government and shall furnish transportation costs, where none are provided, for said headstones from the nearest destination point to which the federal government will deliver such headstones, to the gravesite, provided such payment is requested not later than one year from the date of the approval of such application. The expense of transportation and the erection or installation of such headstone to an amount not exceeding an amount prescribed by the commissioner, shall be paid by the Comptroller.

(1949 Rev., S. 2941; 1969, P.A. 170, S. 1; P.A. 73-501; P.A. 88-285, S. 15, 35; P.A. 97-150; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 55, 121; P.A. 16-167, S. 35.)

History: 1969 act increased ceiling on cost of headstone from $50 to $75; P.A. 73-501 deleted provisions pertaining to furnishing headstones and provided for payment of cost of erecting and transporting headstones provided by the federal government; P.A. 88-285 replaced veterans' home and hospital commission with commissioner; P.A. 97-150 limited requirement of commissioner to pay cost of erecting headstones to cases where application for payment occurs no later than two years from date of death or interment of remains from abroad and authorized payment for certain expenses of headstones to an amount not exceeding amount prescribed by commissioner; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 added specific reference to Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs, effective June 24, 1998; P.A. 16-167 replaced “Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs” with “Commissioner of Veterans Affairs”, effective July 1, 2016.

Contract for headstones made under former statute held discharged by second contract. 124 C. 304.

1937 change in statute discussed. 5 CS 495.