Bill
HB 7094
Creates the Rhode Island orange heart medal to honor RI veterans with documented toxic exposure and a qualifying service-connected illness.
Title: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS
Purpose
- Establishes a new state decoration, the Rhode Island orange heart medal, to recognize Rhode Island veterans who were exposed to toxic hazards during military service.
Key Provisions
- Creation of the Rhode Island orange heart medal (Section 30-8-11)
- Awarding authority: Granted in the name of the governor.
- Eligibility: Open to current or former Rhode Island residents who served as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of the U.S. armed forces (including reserve components) or the Rhode Island National Guard on active state or federal service (on or after December 6, 1941).
- Eligibility criteria (all must be met):
1) Current or former Rhode Island resident.
2) Served on active duty on/after December 6, 1941.
3) Documented exposure during service to at least one of:
- Herbicides (e.g., Agent Orange),
- Open-air burn pits or similar waste disposal/combustion operations,
- Other chemical, biological, or radiological agents/materials recognized as hazardous by federal/state authorities.
4) Diagnosed with a service-connected illness or condition causally linked to the exposures listed in (3), as recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or documented in medical records and approved by the Director of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (or designee).
5) Discharged with an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions.
6) Applies for the medal with supporting documentation.
- Limitation: No more than one Rhode Island orange heart medal per person. For each additional qualifying condition caused by toxic exposure, the recipient may receive a bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second medal.
- Insignia details:
- Medal inscription: “Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal -- For Toxic Exposure Service.”
- May reflect design elements recognizing toxic exposure as approved by regulation.
- Presentation: Can be awarded at a formal ceremony or delivered by the Director of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (or designee).
- Recordkeeping and administration: The Director (or designee) must maintain a recipient registry and promulgate regulations governing administration, application process, and documentation requirements (in line with § 30-8-6 and § 30-17.1-6(b)).
- Funding: All costs for designing, producing, distributing, and administering the medal are subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.
Other Provisions
- Section 2 states the act takes effect upon passage.
Administrative and Procedural Aspects
- Referred to House Veterans’ Affairs.
- Schedule:
- Introduced January 14, 2026.
- Committee recommendations and hearings occurred February–April 2026.
- Committee recommended passage on April 14, 2026.
Impact and Who Is Affected
- Beneficiaries: Rhode Island veterans who meet the exposure and health criteria and are Rhode Island residents, along with the potential to receive corresponding decorational recognition (one medal per person, plus oak leaf cluster for multiple qualifying conditions).
- Agencies/Administration: Rhode Island Office of Veterans’ Affairs would administer the program, maintain the recipient registry, and establish the implementing regulations.
- Fiscal: Medal program costs would be appropriated by the General Assembly.
Contextual Note
- The bill formalizes recognition for veterans exposed to hazardous conditions (herbicides like Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxic agents) and aligns with federal recognition pathways by referencing VA-diagnosed conditions or medical documentation approved by state veterans’ affairs leadership.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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