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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- BURIAL OF VETERANS

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Corvese, Casey, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2026

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 30-25 of the General Laws entitled "Burial of Veterans" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     30-25-14.1. Eligibility for burial -- Members of special guerrilla units.

     (a) Purpose. The general assembly finds that certain individuals served honorably in

Hmong Laotian special guerrilla units or irregular forces operating in support of the United States

Armed Forces during the conflict in the Kingdom of Laos and surrounding regions between 1961

and 1975, commonly known as the "Secret War." These individuals fought alongside United States

military personnel, sustained heavy casualties, and have been recognized by acts of the United

States Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for their service.

     (b) Eligibility. Any person who:

     (1) Served honorably in a Hmong Laotian special guerrilla unit or irregular forces

operations, as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(10), in support of the United States Armed Forces;

and

     (2) Has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs to be

eligible for burial in a national cemetery pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(10), shall be deemed

eligible for burial in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery (RIVMC), subject to all other

conditions and rules applicable to interment therein. The RIVMC may request a determination from

the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as to whether a person is eligible for burial in a national

cemetery under 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(10) and may rely on that determination in ascertaining

eligibility for burial at the RIVMC.

     (c) Documentation. The RIVMC may establish eligibility by accepting the same evidence

of service that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs requires to determine eligibility for interment

in national veterans’ cemeteries.

     (d) Federal compliance. Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand eligibility for

burial beyond those categories recognized under federal law or to jeopardize the state’s receipt of

federal funds or grants for the operation or maintenance of the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial

Cemetery.

     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 -- BURIAL OF VETERANS

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     This act would provide that certain Hmong or Laotian individuals who served honorably

in military operations in support of the United States as special guerrilla units be granted burial

rights at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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