HCS SB 325 -- MILITARY RECORDS; HONORARY DIPLOMAS; VETERANS DAY

This bill requires the county recorder of deeds to accept
original certified military discharge documents for filing.  The
recorder may refuse to accept any document that appears to have
alterations or erasures.  The recorder must maintain a separate
open public index of the documents, using only the name of the
subject of the military document.  The bill lists the parties who
may have access to the record, including the individual, certain
relatives, and legal representatives.  A notarized request for
any document must be made to the recorder.  The Recorders'
Association of Missouri is required to develop a request form for
the military documents.  A record of all requests must be kept by
the recorder for five years.  The bill also applies to the City
of St. Louis.

The bill repeals current law requiring the recorder to maintain a
list of all military discharges and requiring the records to be
open to the public.  The bill also prohibits any reproduction or
use of military discharge documents for any commercial or
speculative purpose.

Current law permits veterans of both world wars and the Korean
War who entered the military before graduating from high school
to receive an honorary high school diploma.  The bill deletes
references to specific wars to permit any veteran who left high
school to enter the military to apply for an honorary diploma.

The bill requires every public school district to devote one
class period at each district school to an observance of the
significance of Veterans Day.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am