OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5664 (as amended by House “A”)*

AN ACT CONCERNING THE AWARD OF RIBBONS AND MEDALS TO VETERANS FOR SERVICE IN TIME OF WAR.

SUMMARY:

This bill removes an apparent ambiguity concerning posthumous awards of war service ribbons and medals to eligible veterans.

The bill also eliminates the duty of the public safety commissioner to provide a six-member, state police funeral honor guard for a legislator whose next of kin requests it. It, instead, requires the Legislative Management executive director to direct the State Capitol Police to provide a capitol police honor guard. The bill, unlike current law, does not specify the number of officers.

*House Amendment “A” adds the honor guard provision.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

AWARD OF MEDALS AND RIBBONS

By law, the veterans' affairs commissioner, in conjunction with the adjutant general, must award a ribbon and medal to any wartime veteran who lived in Connecticut when called to active duty or is living in Connecticut when the award is made. “On or after July 1, 2005,” current law allows posthumous awards. But it is unclear whether this means (1) posthumous awards may be made for veterans who died on or after July 1, 2005 or (2) posthumous awards may be made on or after this date, irrespective of the date when the veteran died.

The bill eliminates the 2005 date and instead (1) limits posthumous awards to veterans who died on or after January 1, 2000 and (2) requires posthumous awards to be made within existing budgetary resources. By law, the cost of the ribbons and medals is paid from funds appropriated to the Military Department's military assistance account.

BACKGROUND

Legislative History

The House referred the bill (File 154) to the Appropriations Committee, which reported a substitute bill limiting the posthumous awards to veterans who die on or after January 1, 2000 and requiring awards to be made within the existing budget.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Select Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Public Safety and Security Committee

Joint Favorable

Appropriations Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute