II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1314 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 26, 2023 Mr. Peters (for himself and Ms. Murkowski ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the definition of spouse and surviving spouse to include all individuals lawfully married, and for other purposes.

1. Modification of definition of spouse and surviving spouse for Department of Veterans Affairs to include all individuals lawfully married (a) In general Section 101 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by striking of the opposite sex who was the spouse of a veteran and inserting who was lawfully married to a veteran, including a marriage between two persons of the same sex, ; and (2) in paragraph (31), by striking of the opposite sex . (b) Modification of regulations The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall update all rules and regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure compliance with— (1) the amendments made by subsection (a); and (2) section 7 of title 1, United States Code.