AR HB1298

Establishes the "Missing in America Project Act" as a new subchapter of Arkansas law to provide for proper interment of unclaimed veteran remains.

Authorizing agents must conduct a diligent search within 5 days of death with state and federal departments of veterans affairs to determine if an unclaimed deceased person (age 18+) was a veteran.

Funeral establishments may cremate unclaimed veteran remains and must place them in properly marked containers, retain them for 5 days, and relinquish them to veterans service organizations or state/federal veterans departments if the veteran is entitled to interment benefits.

Funeral establishments are protected from civil liability for lawfully possessing, cremating, storing, or disposing of remains under this act; estates of deceased veterans are responsible for reimbursing reasonable disposition expenses.

Amends existing law to add veterans service organizations and state/federal veterans departments to the list of persons authorized to claim unclaimed bodies and direct disposition of veteran remains, prioritizing dignified funeral services at veterans cemeteries.