2024 -- S 2696

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LC005291

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- DAYS OF

SPECIAL OBSERVANCE

     Introduced By: Senators Gu, F. Lombardi, Felag, Lauria, Lawson, and Burke

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 25-2 of the General Laws entitled "Days of Special Observance" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     25-2-60. Lowering of flags to half-mast on state buildings to honor first responders.

     (a) The governor shall annually order the lowering of flags to half-mast upon the flagstaff

of any state buildings within this state, on a day or days which the governor shall determine, to

honor the passing of first responders who have served the state, including both on-duty and retired

members of the police and fire departments, emergency medical technicians, national guard and

other military units, and all others, in memory of those first responders who have become deceased.

     (b) As used in this section, the term "flags" includes both the Rhode Island state flag as

defined in § 42-4-3 and the flag of the United States of America as defined in § 11-15-1.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005291

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- DAYS OF

SPECIAL OBSERVANCE

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     This act would direct the governor to select a day and annually order the lowering of flags

to half-mast on any state buildings to honor the passing of first responders.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005291

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