2012 -- H 7918

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LC02115

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE

FLAG

     Introduced By: Representatives MacBeth, Gallison, McLaughlin, Ehrhardt, and Menard

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2012

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-4 of the General Laws entitled "State Emblems" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     42-4-18. Honor and remembrance flag. – (a) The honor and remembrance flag created

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by Honor and Remember, Inc., is hereby designated as the state's official emblem of service and

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sacrifice by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their

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lives in the line of duty and any police personnel, fire personnel, EMTs, rescue personnel, or any

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branch of law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty in response to a terrorist

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activity.

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     (b) Required display. The honor and remembrance flag shall be displayed on the

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following dates:

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     (1) Veterans Day;

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     (2) July 4th;

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     (3) Victory Day;

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     (4) Memorial Day;

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     (5) Gold Star Parents Day; and

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     (6) On the funeral day of an active serviceman, servicewoman, or personnel referred to in

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subsection (a).

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     (c) Location for flag display. The locations for the display of the honor and remembrance

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flag under subsection (b) are the following:

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     (1) The state house;

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     (2) Veterans’ memorials;

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     (3) Office of the secretary of state;

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     (4) Rhode Island state veterans’ cemetery; and

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     (5) Department of veterans affairs.

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     (d) Display. The flag shall be displayed in a manner visible to the public. Display of the

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honor and remembrance flag pursuant to this section shall be in a manner designed to ensure

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visibility to the public.

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     It should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary

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flagstaffs in the open. The flag may be displayed twenty-four (24) hours a day if properly

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illuminated during the hours of darkness. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

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It should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather

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flag is displayed.

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     (e) Presentation. The flag shall be presented to the family at the funeral for an active

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serviceman, servicewoman, or any of the personnel referred to in subsection (a). The state of

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Rhode Island shall assume the cost for these flags.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02115

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE

FLAG

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     This act would designate an official flag for United States military service members and

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any rescue personnel involved in a terrorist-related response who have died in the line of duty and

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the dates and places of the flag’s display.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02115

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