General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6597 January Session, 2013 LCO No. 4135 *_____HB06597PS____032113____* Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY Introduced by: (PS) General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6597 January Session, 2013 LCO No. 4135 *_____HB06597PS____032113____* Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY Introduced by: (PS) AN ACT CREATING THE CIVILIAN MEDAL OF HONOR. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2013) (a) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection is authorized to award the civilian medal of honor, in accordance with the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, directly or posthumously to any citizen of the state in recognition of a valorous and heroic deed performed in saving a life or for injury or death or threat of injury or death incurred in the service of the state or such citizen's community or on behalf of the health, welfare or safety of other persons. (b) Recommendations for the civilian medal of honor may be submitted to the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, by any member of the public. The commissioner shall forward such recommendations to a selection board consisting of members appointed as follows: One member appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, one member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives and one member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. The board member selected by the Governor shall act as chairperson of the selection board and shall call meetings of the selection board, which shall occur at least once each calendar year. (c) The selection board shall review recommendations for the civilian medal of honor submitted by the public and shall select nominees for such medal, giving due consideration to the criteria described in subsection (a) of this section. The commissioner shall review the selection board's nominations and award the civilian medal of honor to any such nominee whom the commissioner deems deserving. This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2013 New section This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 October 1, 2013 New section PS Joint Favorable PS Joint Favorable