2018 -- H 7795 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Shekarchi, Canario, Vella-Wilkinson, and
McEntee

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2018

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 30-25-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-25 entitled "Burial of

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Veterans" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     30-25-14. Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery.

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     (a) The Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery, located on the grounds of the Joseph

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H. Ladd school in the town of Exeter, shall be under the management and control of the director

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of the department of human services. The director of the department of human services shall

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appoint an administrator for the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery who shall be an

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honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces and shall have the general

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supervision over, and shall prescribe rules for, the government and management of the cemetery.

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He or she shall make all needful rules and regulations governing the operation of the cemetery

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and generally may do all things necessary to ensure the successful operation thereof. The director

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shall promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. ยง 2402,

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to govern the eligibility for burial in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. In addition to

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all persons eligible for burial pursuant to rules and regulations established by the director, any

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person who served in the army, navy, air force, or marine corps of the United States for a period

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of not less than two (2) years and whose service was terminated honorably, shall be eligible for

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burial in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. The director shall appoint and employ all

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subordinate officials and persons needed for the proper management of the cemetery. National

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guard members who are killed in the line of duty or who are honorably discharged after

 

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completion of at least twenty (20) years' of service in the Rhode Island national guard and their

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spouse shall be eligible for interment in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. For the

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purpose of computing service under this section, honorable service in the active forces or reserves

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shall be considered toward the twenty (20) years of national guard service. The general assembly

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shall make an annual appropriation to the department of human services to provide for the

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operation and maintenance for the cemetery. The director shall charge and collect a grave liner

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fee per interment of the eligible spouse and/or eligible dependents of the qualified veteran equal

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to the department's cost for the grave liner.

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     (b) No domestic animal shall be allowed on the grounds of the Rhode Island veterans'

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memorial cemetery, whether at large or under restraint, except for seeing eye guide dogs, hearing

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ear signal dogs or any other service animal, as required by federal law or any personal assistance

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animal, as required by chapter 9.1 of title 40. Any person who violates the provisions of this

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section shall be subject to a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500).

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     (c) The state of Rhode Island office of veteran affairs shall bear the cost of all tolls

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incurred by any motor vehicles that are part of a veteran's funeral procession, originating from

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Aquidneck Island ending at the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, for burial or internment. The

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executive director of the Turnpike and Bridge Authority shall assist in the administration and

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coordination of this toll reimbursement program.

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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

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     This act would require the state office of Veteran Affairs to bear the cost of all tolls

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incurred by any motor vehicles that are part of a veteran's funeral procession, originating from

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Aquidneck Island and ending at the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, for burial or internment. The

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executive director of the Turnpike and Bridge Authority shall assist in the administration and

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coordination of this toll reimbursement program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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