Rhode Island General Laws - Veteran's Definition Print this page Return

During the introduction of House Bill #7016A on January 17, 2012, it was suggested that a floor amendment be made to include a definition of the term "Veteran". In other words, there was concern as to whether there was a clear understanding as to exactly who is a 'veteran'. Being certain that there are already other definitions in the Rhode Island General Laws, I opted to reject the floor amendment and, instead, initiate a study of all the General Law reference to veterans.

This process started with a data base search that was conducted for me by the House Legislative Research department. This study uses those results and links back to each of the General Laws.

We are not the first parties to investigate this issue. Previously, the House Veterans Advisory Council addresses this issue. I received these definitions from that council:

Definitions of the term "Veteran" in the Rhode Island General Laws.

"The definition is one the House Veterans Advisory Council came up with from all the different definitions used by both the Federal Government and the State.

Several years ago the Advisory Council worked as a veterans laws review panel. We held numerous sessions reviewing and revising the all the states veterans laws. We submitted our recommendations to Rep Carter, he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs at the time. This study was completed several years ago.

Since then I have been updating our recommendation as the state veterans laws have been changing with each legislative session. It was our intention to standardize the definition of a veteran and to delete old verbiage that is no longer needed.

The term "Veteran" means a person who:


  • served on active duty for other than training for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released there from with other than a dishonorable discharge;
  • or was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability;
  • or served as a member of the National Guard or Reserve Forces and served a minimum of twenty years of honorable service in the National Guard or Reserve Forces, has received a certificate of retirement and has been honorably or medically discharged from the National Guard or Reserve Forces.

The term “War Veteran” means:

  • any veteran of any conflict, war, undeclared war or contingency operation who has earned a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal for their service, in these operations, as noted on acceptable military documentation.

The “War Veteran” must have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of this nation. For purposes of this section, a medical discharge or a general discharge shall be deemed an honorable discharge."

As of January 3, 2012, there were 295 different results in a search for the term "Veterans" in the Rhode Island General Assembly data base.

It is my intention to review these laws, to identify all locations in the General Laws which attempt to define the term 'veteran', and to determine if the laws are consistent with the definitions provided by the Veterans Advisory Council.

Primary definitions found in the General Laws:

Chapter 31-3 Registration of Motor Vehicles - Section 31-3-53 - Veterans Plates

(f) For the purposes of this section, a "veteran" shall be defined as as any person who has served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. The term "veteran" shall also include members of the National Guard and Reserves:
  • (i) called to active duty authorized by the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense; or
  • (ii) who have twenty (20) years of service with a letter and record of separation of service.
((2) For the purposes of this section "War Veteran" shall be defined as any veteran of any conflict or undeclared war who has earned a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal for service in either a declared or undeclared war as noted on the war veteran's DD-214. Upon the death of the holder of any veteran plates, the plates shall be transferred to the surviving spouse for the spouse's lifetime until he or she remarries. (g) The "veteran" or "war veteran" described in subdivisions (f) (1) (i) or (ii) and (2) must have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of this nation in order to receive plates pursuant to this section and, for purposes of this section, a medical discharge or a general discharge shall be deemed an honorable discharge.

Chapter 36-5 Military Service and Veterans - Section 36-5-6 Veterans' point credits.

(b) "Veteran" is defined herein as any man or woman who has been engaged heretofore, is now, or may hereafter be engaged in the active service of the armed forces of the United States with a minimum of ninety (90) days of active duty time served during any declared war, undeclared war, Korean campaign, conflict in Vietnam or any war, campaign or conflict which the armed forces of the United States of America actively engages in and for which service a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal was earned.

References to veterans found in the General Laws:


CHAPTER 30-21 Employment of Veterans - SECTION 30-21-8 Preference in public employment

§ 30-21-8 Preference in public employment – Notice to community service division. – In every public department and upon all public works of this state, any honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine who served in the army or navy of the United States during the Spanish-American war, Philippine insurrection, China relief expedition, or world war I, and who, having been disabled in service, and at the time of his or her application for employment, is a qualified elector of this state, shall be preferred for appointment and employment. Age, loss of limb, or other physical impairment, which does not in fact incapacitate, shall not disqualify the veteran, if he or she possesses the other requisite qualifications. Whenever any department, division, bureau, board, or commission in this state shall have a vacant position available, the department, division, bureau, board, or commission, shall notify the assistant director of human services in charge of the community services division that a vacancy exists.

CHAPTER 31-6 Registration Fees - Section 31-6-9 Blind veterans.

§ 31-6-9 Blind veterans. – Any veteran who has been honorably discharged from service with the armed forces or the merchant marine of the United States in any of the wars, declared or undeclared, in which the United States has been engaged and who, by reason of that service, has become totally blind, shall be further exempt from the payment of any fee for the annual registration of a pleasure motor vehicle owned by the veteran and operated for his or her pleasure and convenience. The veteran shall be entitled to display on that vehicle the special registration plates as shall be issued by the division of motor vehicles. [Suggested change: strike the red words and change 'that' to 'his or her'. Change ].

Chapter 42-129 Persian Gulf War Information Relief Commission - Section 42-129-1

(4) "Veteran" means a person who (i) was a resident of the state at the time of his or her induction into the armed forces of the United States or is currently a resident of the state, and (ii) served during the Persian Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm, as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any hostilities in Southwest Asia conducted after September 11, 2001; and

CHAPTER 44-3 Property Subject to Taxation - Section 44-3-4

44-3-4 – (a) The property of each person who served in the military or naval service of the United States in the war of the rebellion, the Spanish-American war, the insurrection in the Philippines, the China-relief expedition, or World War I, and the property of each person who served in the military or naval service of the United States in World War II at any time during the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, and the property of each person who served in the military or naval services of the United States in the Korean conflict at any time during the period beginning June 27, 1950 and ending January 31, 1955 or in the Vietnam conflict at any time during the period beginning February 28, 1961 and ending May 7, 1975 or who actually served in the Grenada or Lebanon conflicts of 1983-1984, or the Persian Gulf conflict, the Haitian conflict, the Somalian conflict, and the Bosnian conflict, at any time during the period beginning August 2, 1990 and ending May 1, 1994, or in any conflict or undeclared war for which a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal was earned, and who was honorably discharged from the service, or who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, or who, if not discharged, served honorably, or the property of the unmarried widow or widower of that person, is exempted from taxation to the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000), except in:

  • 30-21-12 SECTION 30-21-12 Section 30-21-12 § 30-21-12 Appointment to police or fire forces. – Any citizen who has served in the military service of the United States, in the army, navy, or air force thereof, and who has received an honorable discharge therefrom, may be eligible for appointment as a police officer or firefighter in any city or town of this state in the same manner as though that citizen were a qualified elector of the city or town on the date of his or her appointment; provided, however, that the citizen, if registered at any time during the military service, would be a qualified elector of that city or town at the date of that appointment. [Suggested change: simply replace red words with 'veteran'].

  • 30-22-1 SECTION 30-22-1 Section 30-22-1 § 30-22-1 World War II veterans. – The provisions of all of the statutes of this state granting benefits or privileges to veterans of any war in which the United States of America has heretofore been engaged, or to the widow or widower or domestic partner or other surviving kin of deceased veterans of that war, shall hereafter be construed to provide for like benefits and privileges for any veteran of World War II who has heretofore or may hereafter be honorably discharged from the armed forces of this nation, and to the widow or widower or domestic partner or other surviving kin of deceased veteran of that war. [Suggested change: strike the red words].

  • 30-22-3 SECTION 30-22-3 Section 30-22-3 § 30-22-3 Veterans of undeclared wars or campaigns. – The provisions of all of the statutes of this state granting benefits, privileges or bonuses to veterans of any war in which the United States of America has heretofore been engaged, or to the widow or widower or domestic partner or other surviving kin of deceased veterans of that war, shall hereafter be construed to provide for like benefits, privileges and bonuses for any man or woman of the armed forces who has been engaged heretofore, is now, or may hereafter be engaged in the active conduct of and/or fighting in the Korean campaign or the conflict in Viet Nam or any following campaign or war, declared or undeclared, which the armed forces of the United States of America conduct or in which those forces have a part, and who, having been actively engaged as hereinbefore described, has heretofore or may hereafter be honorably discharged from the armed forces of this nation, and to the widow or widower or domestic partner or other surviving kin of any such deceased veteran of that campaign or war. [Suggested change: strike the red words].

  • 30-22-4 Section 30-22-4 § 30-22-4 "Korean service" defined. – "Active conduct of and/or fighting in the Korean campaign" shall mean service by any man or woman of the armed forces of the United States between June 27, 1950 and January 31, 1955, inclusive. Provided, however, that the extension of the date from July 27, 1953 to January 31, 1955 in the definition of Korean service shall not entitle any veteran who served between July 27, 1953 to January 31, 1955 to any bonus previously paid, nor to any veteran's tax exemption pursuant to § 44-3-4.

  • 30-22-5 Section 30-22-5 "Vietnam service" defined. § 30-22-5 "Vietnam service" defined. – "Active conduct of and/or fighting in the Vietnam conflict" shall mean service by any man or woman of the armed forces of the United States between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975, inclusive. Provided, however, that the extension of the date from August 5, 1964 to February 28, 1961 in the definition of the Vietnam conflict shall not entitle any veteran who served between February 28, 1961 and August 5, 1964 to any bonus previously paid.

  • 30-24-1 Veterans' Home Section 30-24-1 § 30-24-1 Management and control. – The management and control of the Rhode Island veterans' home, established in this state for those who served in the army, navy, marine corps, coast guard, merchant marines, or air force of the United States in any war or conflict and were honorably discharged therefrom, who shall be in need of such care as is provided at the home, shall be the responsibility of the director of human services or his or her designee. [Suggested change: strike the red words and replace with 'veterans'].

  • 30-24-4 Appointments to advisory council Section 30-24-4 § 30-24-4 Appointments to advisory council – Organization and meetings. – Annually, on or before July 1, the governor shall appoint a successor of each member of the advisory council whose term expires, these appointments to be for a term of three (3) years. Provided, however, that a former state representative or senator having served at least five (5) years on the advisory council shall be appointed for a term of at least five (5) years. In case of any vacancy or additional members on the council, the governor shall appoint a new member for the unexpired portion of the term of that membership as hereinbefore provided. Members of the council shall serve without pay. The advisory council shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson for a period of one year and until a successor is elected and qualified. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson; provided, however, that a majority of the members may call a meeting of the advisory council at any time, all members being notified in any case by mail and reasonably in advance of any such meetings. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The governor may remove a member of the council for neglect of duty. Secretarial service for the council shall be provided by the director of the department of human services. Provided, further, the immediate past chief of veterans' affairs shall serve as ex-officio of the veterans' council with voting privileges for a period of five (5) years and may be reappointed for an additional term by the governor.

  • 36-5-1 Military Service and Veterans - Separation pay Section 36-5-1 § 36-5-1 Separation pay of unclassified employees entering service. – Every employee holding a position in the unclassified service of the state, on or after August 8, 1940, who has left or shall leave that position by reason of entering the armed forces of the United States (whether through membership in the reserve of the United States military, air, or naval forces or in the Rhode Island national guard or naval reserve, or by reason of enlistment, induction, commission, or otherwise) and who has held a position in the state service for one hundred eighty (180) or more calendar days within the twelve (12) months next preceding that entrance into the armed forces, is entitled to and is hereby granted sixty (60) calendar days separation pay commencing with the time of leaving that position for that purpose. Every such employee shall be paid by the state the same amount as he would have received had he or she not been absent from his or her position in the unclassified service.

  • 36-5-2.1 Public Officers and Employees Section 36-5-2.1 § 36-5-2.1 Rights of employees entering service to maintain health care benefits. – Every employee holding a position in the classified or unclassified service, who has left or shall leave the position by reason of entering the armed forces of the United States (whether through membership in the reserve of the United States Military or Naval Forces or in the Rhode Island National Guard or Naval Reserves, when any of the foregoing units are called to active federal or state duty, or by reason of enlistment, induction commission or otherwise), and who has held a position in the classified or unclassified service for one hundred eighty (180) or more calendar days within the twelve (12) months next preceding entrance into the armed services, and who at the time of entrance into the armed services had family medical benefits, shall continue to be eligible to receive family medical benefits, in the same manner as available prior to entering service, for designated family members, excluding the employee, during the duration of his or her absences required by the continuance of service in the armed services and his or her return to classified or unclassified service. Nothing in this section, however, shall require the employee to continue family medical benefits provided by the state of Rhode Island or prevent the employee from enrolling in or receiving medical benefits from another source of health insurance coverage including the federal medical benefits program for deployed members of the armed services.

  • 36-5-2 SECTION 36-5-2 Section 36-5-2.1.
    § 36-5-2 Rights of employees entering service after both classified and unclassified service. Section 36-5-2 Every employee holding a position in the classified service of the state, on or after August 8, 1940, who has left or shall leave that position by reason of entering the armed forces of the United States (whether through membership in the reserve of the United States military, air, or naval forces or in the Rhode Island national guard or naval reserve, or by reason of enlistment, induction, commission, or otherwise) and who has held a position in the classified service for less than one hundred eighty (180) days, but who has also held a position in the unclassified service, so that the cumulative service, both classified and unclassified, aggregates one hundred eighty (180) or more calendar days within the twelve (12) months next preceding entrance into the armed forces, is entitled to and is hereby granted the same rights of leave, payment of salary, accrual of sick leave and annual leave, and of return to his or her position under the same conditions as an employee whose entire one hundred eighty (180) days or more are or were in the classified service.

  • 45-26-12 Section 45-26-12 Housing. § 45-26-12 Housing for people who are elderly – Disabled veterans. – Every person, regardless of sex, who was disabled while serving in the military or naval service of the United States in the Spanish American war, the insurrection in the Philippines, the China relief expedition, World War I, World War II, or in any conflict or war, whether declared or undeclared, and who was honorably discharged, or who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, or who, if not discharged, served honorably, shall, if that person meets all other qualifications in his or her application for placement in a public housing for people who are elderly project, be the first to be provided any available accommodations in a project regardless of any other prior applications. [Suggested changes: replace 'person' with 'veteran' and strike the red words].

  • 23-3-25.1 Section 23-3-25.1 § 23-3-25.1 Veterans' exemption for fees for copies and searches. – Any veteran who served honorably in the military or naval service of the United States shall be processed without a charge or fee when making a request for vital statistics regarding a request for his or her own personal records. [Suggested changes: strike the red words].

  • 30-21-2 World War II only Section 30-21-2 Seniority rights § 30-21-2 Seniority rights on reemployment by prior employer. – Any member of the armed forces of the United States or any citizen of the United States who served in the armed forces of the united nations during world war II shall, upon his or her reemployment by a prior employer within one year after his or her honorable discharge from the armed forces, upon proper proof of his or her service and the length thereof, be given by the employer in addition to the seniority rights he or she had when he or she left that employment, prior to his or her joining the armed forces, additional seniority rights equal to the time he served in the armed forces. [Suggested changes: this could be rescinded].

Please send any comments to Rep. Peter Martin at the following email address:

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