[§363-12] Disbursement of World War II Filipino-American veterans burial grant funds.  (a) The office of veterans' services, at the request of a deceased World War IIFilipino-American veteran's survivor or an interested party, shall makepayment, under the veterans burial grant program, directly to a licensedprovider of mortuary or crematory services in the State for the cost of:

(1)  Providingfuneral and burial services for a deceased World War II Filipino-Americanveteran; and

(2)  Transportingthe remains of a deceased World War II Filipino-American veteran to thePhilippines.

(b)  Themaximum amount that may be disbursed on behalf of a deceased World War IIFilipino-American veteran under this section is $2,500.

(c)  Theoffice of veterans' services shall not expend more than the amount appropriatedfor the fiscal year to provide burial grants for deceased World War IIFilipino-American veterans.

(d)  Theoffice of veterans' services shall establish specific eligibility criteria,application and appeal procedures, service choices, and invoicingarrangements.  Eligibility shall include the requirement that a World War IIFilipino-American veteran was, at the time of death, a resident of the State,as evidenced by valid documentation of state residence, a State of Hawaiidriver's license, or a State of Hawaii identification card.

(e) Payment shall be made by the office of veterans' services upon the submissionof a contract for services on behalf of the deceased World War IIFilipino-American veteran and an itemized unpaid invoice to the office.

(f)  Forthe purposes of this section, "World War II Filipino-Americanveteran" means any Filipino-American veteran, who is now a citizen of theUnited States, who served honorably in an active duty status in any of thearmed services of the United States between September 1, 1939, and December 31,1946. [L 2003, c 101, §2]