Introduced By: Representative John Barr, II
Date Introduced : January 8, 1998
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 30-25-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-25 entitled "Burial of Veterans" is hereby amended to read as follows:
30-25-14. Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. --
The Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery located on the grounds
of the Joseph H. Ladd school in the town of Exeter shall be under
the management and control of the director of the department of
human services and the assistant director in charge of the division
of community services. The assistant director of the department
of human services in charge of the division of community services
shall have the general supervision over and shall prescribe rules
for the government and management of the cemetery. He or she shall
make all needful rules and regulations governing the operation
of the cemetery and generally may do all things necessary to insure
the successful operation thereof. {ADD The assistant director shall
promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistant with the provisions
of 38 USCS section 2402, to govern the eligibility for burial
in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. ADD} In addition
to all persons eligible for burial pursuant to rules and regulations
established by the assistant director, any person who served in
the army, navy, air force, or marine corps of the United States
for a period of not less than {DEL four (4) DEL} {ADD two
(2) ADD} years and whose service was terminated honorably, shall
be eligible for burial in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial
cemetery. The director shall appoint and employ all subordinate
officials and persons needed for the proper management of the
cemetery. National Guard members who are killed in the line of
duty or who are honorably discharged after completion of at least
twenty (20) years' of service in the Rhode Island National Guard
and their spouse shall be eligible for internment in the Rhode
Island Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. For the purpose of computing
service under this section, honorable service in the active forces
or reserves shall be considered toward the twenty (20) years of
National Guard service. The general assembly shall make an annual
appropriation to the department of human services to provide for
the operation and maintenance for the cemetery. The director shall
charge and collect a grave liner fee per interment equal to the
Department's cost for the graveliner.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.