| Chapter 212 |
| 2026 -- H 7094 Enacted 06/19/2026 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS |
Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Shallcross Smith, Corvese, McNamara, Fellela, Solomon, and Kennedy |
| Date Introduced: January 14, 2026 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| 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. |
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| LC003134 |
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