Headstones for Honor Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones, markers, and medallions for the graves of certain enslaved individuals and individuals who performed military functions but were ineligible to serve in the Armed Forces due to race, gender, sex, or ethnicity.

Sec. 2, Eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions: The bill amends existing law to add two new categories of individuals eligible for VA-furnished headstones: (1) any enslaved individual who accompanied a member of the Armed Forces or a Civil War veteran during active service, or who served in the Armed Forces (or Confederate Army or Navy) in place of another person; and (2) any individual who performed a military function while prohibited from serving as a member of the Armed Forces by Federal, State, or Tribal law based on race, gender, sex, or ethnicity. For enslaved individuals who served in Confederate forces, the headstone must include language noting they were forced to support their own enslavement. Requests for such headstones can only be made by a direct descendant or by someone who has made a reasonable attempt to get consent from a known direct descendant. The Secretary must issue regulations within one year, informed by Civil War historians, civil rights organizations, and direct descendants, defining 'military function' and establishing acceptable evidence (such as pay records, pension records, newspapers, photographs, diaries, and church records). The amendments take effect when regulations are issued or one year after enactment, whichever is earlier. A report to Congress is due within 15 months.