Rhode Island S2177: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS (Establishes the Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize Rhode Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits, or other hazardous agents.)

What the bill says

From the introduced text, January 16, 2026:

2026 -- S 2177 ======== LC004232 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS Introduced By: Senators Felag, Appollonio, Lauria, Gallo, Burke, LaMountain, and Britto Date Introduced: January 16, 2026 Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 30-8-11. Rhode Island orange heart medal. (a) The Rhode Island orange heart medal may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to any person who, while serving as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard while on active state or federal service, meets the criteria described in subsection (b) of this section. (b) To be eligible for the Rhode Island orange heart medal, a service member shall meet all of the following (2) Served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or Rhode Island national guard at any time on or after December 6, 1941; (3) During service, the individual had documented exposure (ii) Open-air burn pits or similar waste disposal or combustion operations used during military …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Walter Felag (D, SD-010) · primary sponsor
• Peter Appollonio (D, SD-029)
• Pamela Lauria (D, SD-032)
• Hanna Gallo (D, SD-027)
• John Burke (D, SD-009)
• Matthew LaMountain (D, SD-031)
• Robert Britto (D, SD-018)

Latest actions

1. June 19, 2026: Signed by Governor
2. June 16, 2026: Transmitted to Governor
3. June 8, 2026: House passed in concurrence
4. June 5, 2026: Placed on the House Consent Calendar
5. June 4, 2026: Committee recommends passage in concurrence
6. June 2, 2026: Scheduled for consideration
7. May 8, 2026: Referred to House Veterans Affairs
8. May 7, 2026: Senate read and passed
9. April 30, 2026: Placed on Senate Calendar
10. April 29, 2026: Committee recommends passage

Votes

• House Seq #319: PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE (June 8, 2026): 69 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on Veterans` Affairs: Passage in concurrence (June 4, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Seq #158: (May 7, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage (April 29, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage (March 11, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S2177?

S2177 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS (Establishes the Rhode Island orange heart medal to formally recognize Rhode Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits, or other hazardous agents.).

What is the status of S2177?

Signed into law as of June 19, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 19, 2026).

Who sponsored S2177?

Walter Felag (D, SD-010), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S2177?

On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2177.pdf