The Rhode Island Senate has introduced a resolution, SR 2754, urging the United States Congress to enact the Major Richard Star Act. This legislation aims to provide full access to retirement pay and disability benefits for medically retired service members. The resolution highlights the case of Major Richard Star, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who, after being diagnosed with lung cancer due to exposure to burn pits, was forced to retire before completing twenty years of service. Consequently, he was ineligible for concurrent benefits, facing a "dollar for dollar" offset that reduced his retirement pay based on his disability compensation. This situation affects an estimated 50,000 retired service members who are similarly impacted by current regulations.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all veterans receive the benefits they deserve, regardless of the financial implications. It calls for the removal of existing restrictions that prevent medically retired service members from accessing their full retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits. Following Major Star's passing in 2021, his widow expressed that his primary goal was to advocate for this legislative change. The resolution concludes by directing the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to support the enactment of the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 and S. 1032).

Introduced by Senators Ciccone, Felag, Tikoian, and Gallo on February 27, the resolution has been referred to the Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs Committee.