| 6/22/2012 |
Gallison, Felag initiate several new laws to help veterans and service members
STATE HOUSE – A number of bills sponsored by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. and Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. to benefit veterans and current members of the armed services passed the General Assembly and became law this year.
The two East Bay legislators, who serve as chairmen of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs, respectively, were the sponsors of legislation (2012-H7225A), (2012-S2533A) recently signed into law to prohibit lenders from foreclosing on the home of any member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard as well as member of the National Guard or Reserves when they are called to active duty, and for nine months following their return. The new law takes effect immediately.
“Every member of the military deserves a home to return to. Deployment always means sacrifice for military families, and sometimes a reduction in income that can make it difficult to make ends meet. Service members shouldn’t have to worry about their families becoming homeless while they’re away, and their homes should be there for them when they return,” said Representative Gallison (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth).
They also sponsored legislation (2012-H7189A), (2012-S3058) to expand the definition of “veteran” for the purposes of giving veterans’ preference in hiring for state employment. Veterans have long been given preferential status for hiring, but the definition of a veteran under the law was limited to those who served in specific wars and campaigns named in the law. Under Senator Felag’s and Representative Gallison’s legislation, anyone who served more than 30 days (other than training) in any branch, or 20 years in the National Guard or reserves, and wasn’t dishonorably discharged, shall be considered a veteran for hiring purposes. Additionally, those who served in any war or conflict, declared or undeclared, earned a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal and weren’t dishonorably discharged shall be considered a “war veteran.” That legislation has passed and is awaiting action by the governor.
Another bill (2012-H8025), (2012-S2995), which has been signed into law, designates the first Monday in June as Rhode Island Military Nurses Day.
Additionally, Senator Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) was the sponsor of legislation(2012-S2161Aaa), (2012-H7016Baa) that is now law directing the Division of Motor Vehicles to make available at no additional cost a veteran-status driver’s license or identification card to any honorably discharged service member who presents a Certificate of Release from Active Duty or other acceptable documentation of military service. Such a designation would be helpful in demonstrating their veteran status at a Department of Veterans’ Affairs facility and at institutions that provide services and discounts to veterans. The House sponsor of that bill was Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“This is a way to do something meaningful and helpful for our fellow citizens who did their duty and served their country with honor and great valor,” said Senator Felag. “Acknowledging their military duty by adding a designation on a driver’s license or ID card may seem a small thing, but it is will be a constant reminder to all veterans who choose to obtain one that their state is aware of their sacrifice and grateful for it.”
Representative Gallison also sponsored a new law to prevent deployed military members and other Rhode Islanders who are temporarily outside the country from missing the opportunity to participate in elections while they are abroad. The bill (2012-H7100A), (2012-S2335aa) puts Rhode Island’s elections laws into compliance with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, aimed at helping deployed military members and others abroad to register and vote. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence), who serves on the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs.
Additionally, Representative Gallison, along with Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), sponsored a bill (2012-H7274Aaa),(2012-S2521Aaa) that became a law expediting custody hearings for parents who are military members and are about to be deployed. The law allows either parent to request that the court expedite a hearing to establish temporary custody rights, responsibilities and parent-child contact during deployment if deployment seems imminent. The goal of the new law is to prevent parents who are deployed from losing custody rights because they are deployed before rights are determined.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457 |
LEGISLATIVE INFO
