Relating to the comprehensive review of the procedures of the Department of Defense on mortuary affairs.

1. Inserts new text on page 253, between lines 19 and 20

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   Inserted: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON PROCEDURES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ON MORTUARY AFFAIRS

   Inserted: Sec. 7032. (a) Report.--As soon as practicable after the completion of the comprehensive review of the procedures of the Department of Defense on mortuary affairs, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the review.

   Inserted: (b) Additional Elements.--In conducting the comprehensive review described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall also address, in addition to any other matters covered by the review, the following:

   Inserted: (1) The utilization of additional or increased refrigeration (including icing) in combat theaters in order to enhance preservation of remains.

   Inserted: (2) The relocation of refrigeration assets further forward in the field.

   Inserted: (3) Specific time standards for the movement of remains from combat units.

   Inserted: (4) The forward location of autopsy and embalming operations.

   Inserted: (5) Any other matters that the Secretary considers appropriate in order to speed the return of remains to the United States in a non-decomposed state.

   Inserted: (c) Additional Element of Policy on Casualty Assistance to Survivors of Military Decedents.--Section 562(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163; 119 Stat. 3267; 10 U.S.C. 1475 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

   Inserted: "(12) The process by which the Department of Defense, upon request, briefs survivors of military decedents on the cause of, and any investigation into, the death of such military decedents and on the disposition and transportation of the remains of such decedents, which process shall--

   Inserted: "(A) provide for the provision of such briefings by fully qualified Department personnel;

   Inserted: "(B) ensure briefings take place as soon as possible after death and updates are provided in a timely manner when new information becomes available;

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   Inserted: "(C) ensure that--

   Inserted: "(i) such briefings and updates relate the most complete and accurate information available at the time of such briefings or updates, as the case may be; and

   Inserted: "(ii) incomplete or unverified information is identified as such during the course of such briefings or updates; and

   Inserted: "(D) include procedures by which such survivors shall, upon request, receive updates or supplemental information on such briefings or updates from qualified Department personnel.".

   Original wording

   On page 253, between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:

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