Bill Sponsors
Felag, Appollonio, Lauria, Gallo, Burke, LaMountain, and Britto
Committee
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Summary
Select
This bill establishes the "Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal," a new state decoration for current or former Rhode Island residents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard. To qualify, a veteran must have served after December 6, 1941, and have a documented diagnosis of an illness caused by exposure to toxic substances during their service, such as Agent Orange or open-air burn pits. The Director of the Office of Veterans' Affairs will manage the application process and maintain a registry of recipients. Funding for the medals is subject to approval by the General Assembly.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Formally acknowledges the long-term health consequences and suffering caused by military service, validating the experiences of veterans who were exposed to environmental hazards like burn pits and chemical agents.
- Increases visibility for "invisible wounds" of war related to toxic exposure, potentially fostering a culture that is more supportive of veterans' healthcare needs and disability rights.
- Ensures that the state government takes an active role in honoring and tracking those affected by hazardous military conditions, reinforcing the community's obligation to care for those injured in service.
Cons for Progressives
- Allocates state funds toward symbolic gestures (medals) rather than directing that money toward tangible healthcare, housing assistance, or financial aid for the struggling veterans suffering from these illnesses.
- Focuses on glorifying the service connected to the exposure rather than addressing the systemic military policies that allowed such toxic exposures and environmental negligence to occur in the first place.
- Creates a registry of individuals based on medical conditions, which raises potential privacy concerns regarding how the state manages and utilizes sensitive health data of veterans.
Pros for Conservatives
- Strengthens patriotism and state pride by establishing a formal mechanism to honor the sacrifices made by Rhode Island residents who served in the armed forces.
- Demonstrates strong support for the military community and veterans without mandating a large, permanent entitlement program or expensive new bureaucracy.
- Reinforces traditional values of duty and honor by ensuring that those who suffered physical harm in defense of the nation receive public recognition.
Cons for Conservatives
- Requires the appropriation of taxpayer funds for the design, production, and distribution of medals, which some may view as unnecessary government spending during tight fiscal times.
- Expands the administrative burden on the Office of Veterans' Affairs by requiring them to promulgate new regulations, process applications, and maintain a new registry.
- Creates a specific category of recognition that could lead to "mission creep," where the government is pressured to create more taxpayer-funded awards for various other subgroups in the future.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Veterans
- National Guard Members
- Office of Veterans' Affairs
- Families of Veterans
- Taxpayers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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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
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and 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.