AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS (Establishes the Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize Rhode Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits, or other hazardous agents.)

S2177

2026 -- S 2177
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LC004232
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

Introduced By:
Senators Felag, Appollonio, Lauria, Gallo, Burke, LaMountain, and
Britto

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended
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by adding thereto the following section:
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30-8-11. Rhode Island orange heart medal.

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(a) The Rhode Island orange heart medal may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to
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any person who, while serving as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the
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armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island
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national guard while on active state or federal service, meets the criteria described in subsection (b)
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of this section.
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(b) To be eligible for the Rhode Island orange heart medal, a service member shall meet
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all of the following conditions:
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(1) Be a current or former resident of Rhode Island;
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(2) Served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or Rhode Island national
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guard at any time on or after December 6, 1941;
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(3) During service, the individual had documented exposure to:
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(i) Herbicides used in military operations including, but not limited to, Agent Orange;
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(ii) Open-air burn pits or similar waste disposal or combustion operations used during
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military deployments; or
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(iii) Other chemical, biological, or radiological agents or materials associated with military
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operations and recognized by federal or state authorities as hazardous;

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(4) Has been diagnosed with a service-connected illness or condition causally linked to
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exposure, materials or agents specified in subsection (b)(3) of this section either as recognized by
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the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or as documented in medical records and approved by the
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director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee;
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(5) Has been discharged with either an honorable discharge or general discharge under
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honorable conditions; and
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(6) Applies for the medal with supporting documentation of eligibility.
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(c) No more than one Rhode Island orange heart medal shall be awarded to any one person;
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however, for each additional condition verified to be caused by toxic exposure meeting the
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eligibility criteria, the recipient may receive a bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second medal.
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(1) The medal shall bear the words: “Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal -- For Toxic
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Exposure Service” and may incorporate design elements reflecting toxic exposure recognition as
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approved in accordance with the provisions of § 30-8-6.
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(2) The medal may be presented at a formal ceremony or delivered to the recipient by the
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director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee.
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(e) The director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee, shall maintain a registry of
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all recipients and promulgate regulations pursuant to the provisions of § 30-17.1-6(b) for the
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administration, application process, and documentation requirements for the medal.
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(f) All costs for designing, producing, distributing, and administering the award of the
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Rhode Island orange heart medal shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS
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This would establish the Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize Rhode
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Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits, or other hazardous
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agents.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004232
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