Bill Sponsors
Azzinaro, Shallcross Smith, Corvese, McNamara, Fellela, Solomon, and Kennedy
Committee
House Veterans` Affairs
Summary
Select
This legislation establishes the "Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal" to honor current or former Rhode Island residents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Rhode Island National Guard. The medal is specifically for service members who were exposed to toxic substances, such as Agent Orange or burn pits, during their service and subsequently diagnosed with a related illness. The bill outlines eligibility requirements, including discharge status and proof of exposure. The Director of the Office of Veterans' Affairs is tasked with managing the application process, maintaining a registry of recipients, and distributing the awards.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Provides formal recognition and validation to individuals suffering from long-term health consequences caused by government-ordered military service, acknowledging the human cost of war.
- Highlights the environmental hazards of military operations, such as burn pits and chemical agents, bringing awareness to the systemic neglect of service member safety in conflict zones.
- Expands the state's social support framework for a vulnerable population (sick veterans) by creating a specific registry and administrative structure to honor their specific struggles.
Cons for Progressives
- Allocates state funds toward ceremonial medals rather than direct financial aid, healthcare services, or housing assistance for low-income or disabled veterans.
- Maintains the requirement for an honorable or general discharge, potentially excluding veterans whose service-connected trauma or mental health struggles led to less-than-honorable discharges.
- Focuses on symbolic gestures rather than addressing the root causes of why service members are exposed to toxic hazards or reforming the military-industrial practices that cause such pollution.
Pros for Conservatives
- Reinforces patriotism and respect for the military by honoring the sacrifices made by Rhode Island residents who served their country in times of conflict.
- Strengthens the social fabric and traditional values by formally recognizing duty, honor, and the physical costs paid by service members for national defense.
- Ensures that the recognition is reserved for those who served honorably, maintaining high standards for state-sanctioned awards.
Cons for Conservatives
- Creates new government bureaucracy and regulations by requiring the Office of Veterans' Affairs to design medals, manage applications, and maintain a new registry.
- Increases state spending by making the production and distribution of medals subject to appropriation, using taxpayer dollars for non-essential ceremonial items.
- Expands the scope of state government into veteran affairs, an area that is traditionally and primarily the responsibility of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Veterans
- Rhode Island National Guard members
- Families of veterans
- Office of Veterans' Affairs
- Taxpayers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/14/2026 Introduced, referred to House Veterans Affairs
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
30-8-11. Rhode Island orange heart medal.
(a) The Rhode Island orange heart medal may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to any person who, while serving as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard while on active state or federal service, meets the criteria described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) To be eligible for the Rhode Island orange heart medal, a service member shall meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Be a current or former resident of Rhode Island;
(2) Served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or Rhode Island national guard at any time on or after December 6, 1941;
(3) During service, the individual had documented exposure to:
(i) Herbicides used in military operations including, but not limited to, Agent Orange;
(ii) Open-air burn pits or similar waste disposal or combustion operations used during military deployments; or
(iii) Other chemical, biological, or radiological agents or materials associated with military operations and recognized by federal or state authorities as hazardous;
(4) Has been diagnosed with a service-connected illness or condition causally linked to exposure, materials or agents specified in subsection (b)(3) of this section either as recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or as documented in medical records and approved by the director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee;
(5) Has been discharged with either an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions; and
(6) Applies for the medal with supporting documentation of eligibility.
(c) No more than one Rhode Island orange heart medal shall be awarded to any one person; however, for each additional condition verified to be caused by toxic exposure meeting the eligibility criteria, the recipient may receive a bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second medal.
(1) The medal shall bear the words: “Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal -- For Toxic Exposure Service” and may incorporate design elements reflecting toxic exposure recognition as approved in accordance with the provisions of § 30-8-6.
(2) The medal may be presented at a formal ceremony or delivered to the recipient by the director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee.
(e) The director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee, shall maintain a registry of all recipients and promulgate regulations pursuant to the provisions of § 30-17.1-6(b) for the administration, application process, and documentation requirements for the medal.
(f) All costs for designing, producing, distributing, and administering the award of the Rhode Island orange heart medal shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
30-8-11. Rhode Island orange heart medal.
(a) The Rhode Island orange heart medal may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to any person who, while serving as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard while on active state or federal service, meets the criteria described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) To be eligible for the Rhode Island orange heart medal, a service member shall meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Be a current or former resident of Rhode Island;
(2) Served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or Rhode Island national guard at any time on or after December 6, 1941;
(3) During service, the individual had documented exposure to:
(i) Herbicides used in military operations including, but not limited to, Agent Orange;
(ii) Open-air burn pits or similar waste disposal or combustion operations used during military deployments; or
(iii) Other chemical, biological, or radiological agents or materials associated with military operations and recognized by federal or state authorities as hazardous;
(4) Has been diagnosed with a service-connected illness or condition causally linked to exposure, materials or agents specified in subsection (b)(3) of this section either as recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or as documented in medical records and approved by the director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee;
(5) Has been discharged with either an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions; and
(6) Applies for the medal with supporting documentation of eligibility.
(c) No more than one Rhode Island orange heart medal shall be awarded to any one person; however, for each additional condition verified to be caused by toxic exposure meeting the eligibility criteria, the recipient may receive a bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second medal.
(1) The medal shall bear the words: “Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal -- For Toxic Exposure Service” and may incorporate design elements reflecting toxic exposure recognition as approved in accordance with the provisions of § 30-8-6.
(2) The medal may be presented at a formal ceremony or delivered to the recipient by the director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee.
(e) The director of the office of veterans’ affairs, or designee, shall maintain a registry of all recipients and promulgate regulations pursuant to the provisions of § 30-17.1-6(b) for the administration, application process, and documentation requirements for the medal.
(f) All costs for designing, producing, distributing, and administering the award of the Rhode Island orange heart medal shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.