H7679AVeterans & Military

Military Affairs and Defense - Burial of Veterans

This bill allows Hmong Laotian veterans who supported U.S. forces to be buried in Rhode Island's veterans cemetery.

Introduced70 Yea0 Nay5 Not voting

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Veterans` Affairs

Plain-English Summary

This bill allows individuals who served in the Hmong Laotian special guerrilla units during the "Secret War" between 1961 and 1975 to be eligible for burial in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery. To qualify, these individuals must have fought alongside the United States Armed Forces and be recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as eligible for burial in a national cemetery. The state cemetery will use the same documentation required by the federal government to confirm a person's eligibility.

For younger readers

A long time ago, people from a group called the Hmong helped the United States military during a war. This bill says that these brave helpers are allowed to be buried in the special Rhode Island cemetery made just for veterans. Veterans are people who have served in the military. To be buried there, the U.S. government must first agree that the person helped the military and meets their rules.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Hmong Laotian veteransFamilies of Hmong Laotian veteransRhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery staffDepartment of Veterans AffairsRhode Island military veterans

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of marginalized minority groups (Hmong Laotians) who fought alongside U.S. forces, promoting social justice and historical inclusion.
Expands access to public services and veterans' burial benefits for a specific group of refugee veterans, ensuring they receive equitable treatment and honors.
Aligns state practices with federal standards, providing a stronger social safety net and community support for the families of these veterans during their time of grief.
Focuses solely on military service and veterans' benefits rather than addressing broader systemic issues or basic needs such as healthcare or housing for the Hmong community.
Ties eligibility strictly to federal Department of Veterans Affairs determinations, which could exclude individuals who lack proper documentation due to systemic barriers or the secretive nature of the war.
Glorifies participation in a covert U.S. military operation, which some anti-war progressives might view as endorsing historical U.S. imperialism and foreign intervention.

For Conservatives

Honors the military service and sacrifice of individuals who fought against communism alongside U.S. forces, aligning with traditional patriotic values and respect for the armed forces.
Ensures strict compliance with federal law and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines, maintaining the rule of law and preventing the unauthorized expansion of government benefits.
Explicitly protects the state's receipt of federal funds and grants by ensuring eligibility rules do not jeopardize existing federal support for the cemetery.
Expands state government benefits and public cemetery resources to foreign nationals, which some conservatives might oppose in favor of prioritizing American-born citizens.
Increases the administrative burden on the state cemetery system to verify the documentation and eligibility of foreign guerrilla fighters.
Could lead to increased taxpayer costs associated with the burial and maintenance of additional gravesites in the state veterans' cemetery.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 25 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 30-25 of the General Laws entitled "Burial of Veterans" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 30-25-14.1. Eligibility for burial -- Members of special guerrilla units.

(a) Purpose. The general assembly finds that certain individuals served honorably in Hmong Laotian special guerrilla units or irregular forces operating in support of the United States Armed Forces during the conflict in the Kingdom of Laos and surrounding regions between 1961 and 1975, commonly known as the "Secret War." These individuals fought alongside United States military personnel, sustained heavy casualties, and have been recognized by acts of the United States Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for their service.

(b) Eligibility. Any person who:

(1) Served honorably in a Hmong Laotian special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operations, as defined in 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(10), in support of the United States Armed Forces; and

(2) Has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs to be eligible for burial in a national cemetery pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(10), shall be deemed eligible for burial in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery (RIVMC), subject to all other conditions and rules applicable to interment therein. The RIVMC may request a determination from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs as to whether a person is eligible for burial in a national cemetery under 38 U.S.C. § 2402(a)(10) and may rely on that determination in ascertaining eligibility for burial at the RIVMC.

(c) Documentation. The RIVMC may establish eligibility by accepting the same evidence of service that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs requires to determine eligibility for interment in national veterans’ cemeteries.

(d) Federal compliance. Nothing in this section shall be construed to expand eligibility for burial beyond those categories recognized under federal law or to jeopardize the state’s receipt of federal funds or grants for the operation or maintenance of the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.