The bill amends the Rhode Island General Laws to enhance the management and admission criteria for the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home and the Rhode Island Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. A significant change is the inclusion of the Space Force in the definition of eligible service members, alongside the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. The management of these facilities will now fall under the director of human services, who will appoint administrators and set operational rules. Additionally, the bill mandates that laundry services for residents of the veterans' home be provided at no charge and outlines eligibility for burial in the cemetery, allowing those who have served in the Coast Guard or Space Force for at least two years to qualify. It also includes provisions for National Guard members and reservists and ensures that the state will cover toll costs for veterans' funeral processions from Aquidneck Island to the cemetery. Furthermore, the bill updates Section 34-12-5 of the General Laws to allow commissioned officers of the Space Force to perform notarial acts, replacing the language "or marine corps, or space force,". It also amends Section 34-37-3 to redefine "armed forces" to include the Space Force, ensuring that military status protections and definitions in housing and fair practices are inclusive of all branches. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the legal framework for military personnel and their families, granting Space Force members the same recognition and rights as those in other military branches, with the act taking effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
625: 30-25-14, 34-12-5, 34-37-3