§ 30-25-14 — § 30-25-14. Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery.

§ 30-25-14. Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery.

(a) The Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery, located on the grounds of the Joseph H. Ladd school in the town of Exeter, shall be under the management and control of the director of the department of human services. The director of the department of human services shall appoint an administrator for the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery who shall be an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces and shall have the general supervision over, and shall prescribe rules for, the government and management of the cemetery. The administrator shall make all needful rules and regulations governing the operation of the cemetery and generally may do all things necessary to ensure the successful operation thereof. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 2402, to govern the eligibility for burial in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. In addition to all persons eligible for burial pursuant to rules and regulations established by the director, any person who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, or Marine Corps of the United States for a period of not less than two (2) years and whose service was terminated honorably, shall be eligible for burial in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. The director shall appoint and employ all subordinate officials and persons needed for the proper management of the cemetery. National Guard members who are killed in the line of duty or who are honorably discharged after completion of at least six (6) years of service in the Rhode Island National Guard and/or Reserve and their spouse shall be eligible for interment in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. National Guard members and/or Reservists who are honorably discharged after completion of at least six (6) years of service with another state, and who are a Rhode Island resident for at least two (2) consecutive years immediately prior to death, shall be eligible, along with their spouse, for interment in the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. For the purpose of computing service under this section, honorable service in the active forces or reserves shall be considered toward the six (6) years of National Guard service. The general assembly shall make an annual appropriation to the department of human services to provide for the operation and maintenance for the cemetery. The director may charge and collect a grave liner fee per interment of the eligible spouse and/or eligible dependents of the qualified veteran, National Guard member, and/or Reservist equal to the department's cost for the grave liner. The director may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to fulfill the intent of this chapter.

(b) No domestic animal shall be allowed on the grounds of the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery, whether at large or under restraint, except for seeing eye guide dogs, hearing ear signal dogs, or any other service animal, as required by federal law or any personal assistance animal, as required by chapter 9.1 of title 40. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500).

(c) The state of Rhode Island office of veterans services shall bear the cost of all tolls incurred by any motor vehicles that are part of a veteran's funeral procession, originating from Aquidneck Island ending at the veterans' memorial cemetery, for burial or internment. The executive director of the turnpike and bridge authority shall assist in the administration and coordination of this toll reimbursement program.

Legislative History

P.L. 1975, ch. 161, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 427, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 44, art. 21, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 9, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 135, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 293, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 403, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 65, art. 13, § 14; P.L. 2009, ch. 233, § 4; P.L. 2009, ch. 234, § 4; P.L. 2011, ch. 151, art. 9, § 6; P.L. 2016, ch. 338, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 358, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 47; P.L. 2018, ch. 75, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 95, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 79, art. 3, § 3, effective June 16, 2023; P.L. 2025, ch. 165, § 12, effective June 24, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 166, § 12, effective June 24, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 278, art. 10, § 3, effective June 29, 2025.