WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 479

By Senators Weld, Lindsay, Stollings, and Romano

[Introduced March 1, 2021; referred
to the Committee on Military]

A BILL to amend and reenact §15-1G-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the West Virginia veterans service decoration and West Virginia Service Cross.    

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 1G. SERVICE MEDALS.

§15-1G-10. West Virginia veterans service decoration; West Virginia Service Cross

(a) In addition to any other medals or awards authorized under the provisions of this article, the following medals are authorized:

(1) A West Virginia veterans service decoration may be awarded to any resident of West Virginia who served in any of the five federally recognized military services for a period at a time during which there was armed conflict.

(2) A West Virginia Service Cross and ribbon bar, along with a certificate signed by the Governor and State Adjutant General, may be awarded to any veteran who meets the criteria set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, and who also was awarded a federal achievement medal, commendation medal, meritorious service medal or a medal for valor by one of the five federally recognized military services.

(b) West Virginia National Guard members may also be authorized to receive and wear the medals and ribbons authorized under the provisions of this section in an order of precedence determined by the Adjutant General.

(c) The Adjutant General may propose rules pursuant to article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this section

(a) A West Virginia veterans service decoration may be awarded to any resident of West Virginia who served in any of the five federally recognized military services for a period at a time during which there was armed conflict.

(b) A West Virginia Service Cross and ribbon bar, along with a certificate signed by the Governor, may be awarded to any veteran who meets the criteria set forth in section (a) of this subsection, and who also was awarded a federal achievement medal, commendation medal, meritorious service medal or a medal for valor by one of the five federally recognized military services.

(c) West Virginia National Guard members may also be authorized to receive and wear the medals and ribbons authorized under the provisions of this section in an order of precedence determined by the Adjutant General.

(d) The secretary may propose rules pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code to implement the provisions of this section.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to move authority for the West Virginia veterans service decoration and West Virginia Service Cross to the Division of Veterans Affairs. 

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.