A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 25-11-80, RELATING TO STATE VETERANS' CEMETERIES, SO AS TO REMOVE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Section 25-11-80(F) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (F)(1) To qualify for a plot in a state veterans' cemetery, the applicant must be a veteran or a member of the immediate family of a veteran who meets the requirements of this subsection.

       (2) The veteran must have an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces.

       (3) The veteran must have been a resident of the State:

           (a) when the veteran entered the Armed Forces;

           (b) when the veteran or eligible family member died;  or

           (c) for five years, unless for a reason that the department finds compelling, the department waives the time period.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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