ASSEMBLY, No. 2272

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JULY 18, 1996

By Assemblymen COHEN, DALTON,

Azzolina and Malone

An Act expanding eligibility for certain distinguished service medals and amending N.J.S.38A:15-2.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. N.J.S.38A:15-2 is amended to read as follows:

    38A:15-2. The Governor may present in the name of the State of New Jersey a distinguished service medal of appropriate design, and ribbon to be worn in lieu thereof, to:

    a. any member of the organized militia who, while serving in any capacity in the organized militia under orders of the Governor, or while in federal service, shall have been distinguished by especially meritorious service and who has been or may be cited in orders for distinguished service by the Governor or by appropriate federal authority;

    b. any resident of the State of New Jersey[,] who, while serving in the organized militia or in federal military service on active duty in time of war or emergency, shall have been distinguished by especially meritorious service and who has been or may be cited in orders for distinguished service by the Governor or by appropriate federal authority; or

    c. any former resident of this State or any deceased person who, on the date of induction into the organized militia or federal military service, was a resident of this State and who, while serving in the organized militia or in federal military service on active duty in time of war or emergency, shall have been distinguished by especially meritorious service and who has been or may be cited in orders for distinguished service by the Governor or appropriate federal authority. The service medal for a deceased person shall be issued to the surviving parent, spouse, sibling or other relative who submits all of the required forms and documentation on behalf of that person.

(cf: P.L.1994, c.36, s.1)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill permits any person who had been a State resident on the date of induction into the organized militia or federal military service and has been distinguished by especially meritorious service and who has been or may be cited in orders for distinguished service by the Governor or by appropriate federal authority to be eligible for a New Jersey distinguished service medal.

    Under current law, only current State residents and deceased persons who were residents of the State are eligible to receive the medal.

Expands eligibility for NJ distinguished service medal.