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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1282 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to military service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. In 2005, the legislature passed Act 21, which provided for a Hawaii medal of honor to express the deep appreciation and gratitude of the people of Hawaii to the loved ones of members of the military who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation and its freedom. Since 2006, there have been more than two hundred forty recipients of the Hawaii medal of honor.
Recently, President Barack Obama pledged to do more work to prevent military suicides, saying that he was "committed to removing the stigma associated with the unseen wounds of war." One of President Obama's initiatives was to reverse a long-standing policy of not sending condolence letters to the families of service members who commit suicide while deployed to a combat zone. Mental health and troop advocacy groups lauded President Obama's decision.
The legislature finds that it is important to recognize the men and women who have borne the incredible burden of war, and it is crucial that the State recognize and honor Hawaii service members who commit suicide on the battlefield or when deployed.
The purpose of this Act is to expand the scope of eligibility requirements for the Hawaii medal of honor to include service members who commit suicide on the battlefield or on deployment.
SECTION 2. Section 5-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending its title and subsection (a) to read:
"[[]§5-22[]]
Hawaii medal of honor. (a) The Hawaii medal of honor may be awarded on
behalf of the people of the State of Hawaii to an individual who has been
killed in action or committed suicide, while:
(1) Engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) Engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;
(3) Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; or
(4) Serving in a combat zone as designated by presidential order."
2. By amending subsection (c) to read:
"(c) Individuals eligible to receive the Hawaii medal of honor include:
(1) Members of the Hawaii national guard who were
legal residents of Hawaii and were activated into service at the time
they were killed in action[;] or committed suicide;
(2) Members of the United States military reserves
who were legal residents of Hawaii and were activated into service at
the time they were killed in action[;] or committed suicide;
(3) Members of the regular United States armed forces who were:
(A) Legal residents of Hawaii at the time they
were killed in action[;] or committed suicide; or
(B) Stationed in Hawaii by a proper order of
the United States Department of Defense at the time they were killed in action[;]
or committed suicide; and
(4) Members of the Hawaii national guard, United States military reserves, or regular United States armed forces who:
(A) Attended a public or private educational institution in Hawaii at some period during their lives; and
(B) Were killed in action[.] or
committed suicide."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Hawaii Medal of Honor; Military Suicide; Title 10 Status
Description:
Expands the scope of eligibility requirements for the Hawaii Medal of Honor to include service members, including members of the Hawaii national guard, United States military reserves, and regular United States armed forces, who commit suicide on the battlefield or when deployed.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.