| Chapter 239 |
| 2026 -- S 2996 Enacted 06/19/2026 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS |
Introduced By: Senators Felag, Raptakis, Burke, Tikoian, DiPalma, LaMountain, Gallo, and Ciccone |
| Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 30-8-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-8 entitled "Decorations" |
| is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 30-8-4. Rhode Island star. |
| The Rhode Island star may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to each person who, |
| while 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, distinguishes himself or herselfthemself conspicuously by |
| exceptionally meritorious service to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility. The |
| Rhode Island star may also be awarded, in the name of the governor, to civilian government |
| employees and military and civilian senior leaders of foreign governments for their outstanding |
| service and contributions to the Statestate of Rhode Island. No more than one Rhode Island star |
| shall be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding service, sufficient to justify the award |
| of a Rhode Island star, a bronze oak leaf cluster shall be awarded in lieu thereof. |
| SECTION 2. Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended |
| by adding thereto the following sections: |
| 30-8-11. The Rhode Island legion of merit. |
| (a) The Rhode Island legion of merit may be awarded, in the name of the adjutant general, |
| to each person who, while 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 serving in key leadership positions on active state or federal service, |
| distinguishes himself or herselfthemself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service in |
| performance of outstanding services and achievements to the state or federal government in a duty |
| of responsibility. The Rhode Island legion of merit may also be awarded, in the name of the adjutant |
| general, to retirees who served 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, in key leadership positions on active state or federal service, and distinguished |
| himself or herselfthemself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service in performance of |
| outstanding services and achievements to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility. |
| No more than one Rhode Island legion of merit shall be awarded to any one person, but for each |
| succeeding service, sufficient to justify the award of a Rhode Island legion of merit, a bronze oak |
| leaf cluster shall be awarded in lieu thereof. |
| (b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference |
| to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference |
| thereto. |
| 30-8-12. Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon. |
| (a) The Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon may be awarded in the name of the |
| adjutant general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted |
| person of the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the |
| Rhode Island national guard, while on active, state, or federal service, serves for a period of five |
| (5) consecutive days in one of Rhode Island national guard’s state partnership program countries. |
| No more than one Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon shall be awarded to any one |
| person. This award may be retroactive at the discretion of the adjutant general. |
| (b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference |
| to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference |
| thereto. |
| 30-8-13. Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon. |
| (a) The Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon may be awarded in the name of the adjutant |
| general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of |
| the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island |
| national guard, while on active, state, or federal service, serves as a member of the funeral honors |
| team. No more than one Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon shall be awarded to any one person. |
| This award may be retroactive at the discretion of the adjutant general. |
| (b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference |
| to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference |
| thereto. |
| SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC005436 |
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