2019 -- H 5443

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- VETERANS' BENEFITS

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Millea, Almeida, Williams, and
Shanley

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 30-22 of the General Laws entitled "Extension of Veterans'

Benefits" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     30-22-7. Change in treatment of certain discharges.

     (a) For purposes of eligibility for state or municipal veterans' benefits, former members

of the armed forces who were separated with a characterization of less than honorable due solely

to their sexual orientation or gender identity for transsexual service members, shall be entitled to

all state and municipal veterans' benefits for which the veteran would otherwise be eligible had

the discharge been characterized as honorable including a veterans preference for housing or

employment.

     (b) Veterans, entitled to benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, requesting

property tax exemptions must provide the municipal tax assessor with a copy of their DD Form

214 and a letter from the Rhode Island office of veterans affairs verifying the characterization of

the discharge was based solely on sexual orientation.

     (c) Veterans, entitled to benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, requesting the

issuance of motor vehicle veteran plates shall provide the registrar of motor vehicles with a letter

from the Rhode Island office of veterans affairs verifying the characterization of the discharge

was based solely on sexual orientation and shall comply with the provisions of § 31-3-53.

     (d) Veterans, entitled to benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, requesting

issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license marked "Veteran" shall provide the administrator of

the division of motor vehicles with a letter from the Rhode Island office of veterans affairs

verifying the characterization of the discharge was based solely on sexual orientation and shall

comply with the provisions of § 31-10-48.

     (e) Disabled veterans, entitled to benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of this section,

requesting priority for housing accommodations shall provide the applicable housing authority

with a letter from the Rhode Island office of veterans affairs verifying the characterization of the

discharge was based solely on sexual orientation and shall comply with the provisions of § 45-26-

12.

     (f) Veterans, entitled to benefits pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or their next of

kin requesting burial of a veteran at the Rhode Island veterans memorial cemetery shall provide

the administrator for the Rhode Island veterans memorial cemetery with a letter from the Rhode

Island office of veterans affairs verifying the characterization of the discharge was based solely

on sexual orientation and shall comply with the provisions of § 30-25-14.

     (g) Municipalities shall ensure the appropriate personnel are trained to properly respond

to these requests to ensure the dignity and privacy of the veteran.

     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 -- VETERANS' BENEFITS

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     This act would permit former members of the armed forces who received less than

honorable discharges based solely on sexual orientation to receive earned veterans' benefits as if

their discharge had been characterized as honorable including housing and employment veterans

preferences.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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