HLS 25RS-421 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 468
BY REPRESENTATIVES ADAMS AND VENTREL LA
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
VETERANS: Provides relative to the Civilian Honor Medal Program
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 36:784(8), relative to the award of certain honorary medals; to
3 provide for the Civilian Honor Medal Program; to provide for the establishment and
4 management of the Civilian Honor Medal Program; to provide for qualifications and
5 selection; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 36:784(8) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง784. Powers and duties of the secretary
9 A. In addition to the functions, powers, and duties otherwise vested in the
10 secretary by law, he shall:
11 * * *
12 (8)(a)(i) Establish and manage a Veterans' Honor Medal Program in order
13 to recognize and honor all Louisiana veterans. The secretary shall design or cause
14 to be designed a medal. A gold star shall be affixed and awarded to the next of kin
15 of armed forces personnel killed in action. A silver star shall be affixed and awarded
16 to armed forces personnel wounded in action.
17 (ii) Establish and manage a Civilian Honor Medal Program to recognize and
18 honor the following individuals:
19 (aa) Civilian state employees for commendable service or achievement to
20 military and veteran programs.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-421 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 468
1 (bb) Civilians who have demonstrated important contributions and
2 unwavering commitment to the military and veteran communities of the state of
3 Louisiana and our country.
4 (cc) Individuals selected to receive a Civilian Honor Medal under the criteria
5 established by this Item shall be distinguished from veterans by having a white
6 ribbon.
7 (b) Have the authority to form an advisory committee of interested persons,
8 including, but not limited to, the governor or his designee, the speaker of the
9 Louisiana House of Representatives or his designee, the president of the Louisiana
10 Senate or his designee, the adjutant general or his designee, the Louisiana secretary
11 of veterans affairs or his designee, and various veterans. This committee shall assist
12 the secretary in the design of the medals provided for in Subparagraph (a) of this
13 Paragraph and accompanying certificates.
14 (c)(i) Determine eligibility for award of an Honor Medal provided for in this
15 Section based upon military records such as DD-214 discharge paper or a DD-201
16 service record.
17 (ii) Select a civilian recipient based on the sole discretion of the secretary.
18 In order to receive a Civilian Honor Medal, civilian recipients shall be residents of
19 the state of Louisiana, shall not have a criminal record, and shall be of good moral
20 character.
21 (d) Create an application for the distribution of the Honor Medal and
22 Civilian Honor Medal in which the applicant may elect to receive a medal by one of
23 the following methods:
24 (i) Delivery by the United States Postal Service.
25 (ii) Delivery to the Department of Veterans Affairs parish service office in
26 the parish where the veteran or civilian resides.
27 (iii) Delivery to the veteran or civilian by the governor or his designee in a
28 ceremony conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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HB NO. 468
1 (e) Deliver each Honor Medal or Civilian Honor Medal pursuant to the
2 method of delivery selected by the veteran or civilian on the application in
3 accordance with Subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph.
4 (f) Deliver each Honor Medal to the applicant within forty-five days of
5 receipt of the application unless the veteran elects to receive the medal in a ceremony
6 conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
7 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 468 Original 2025 Regular Session Adams
Abstract: Establishes the Civilian Honor Medal Program.
Present law provides for a Veteran's Honor Medal Program.
Proposed law retains present law and establishes a Civilian Honor Medal Program.
Proposed law provides that the Civilian Honor Medal Program recognizes and honors
civilian state employees for commendable service provided to military and veteran programs
and civilians who have demonstrated important contributions and commitment to the
military and veteran communities.
Proposed law provides that the civilian recipient is selected at the sole discretion of the
secretary of veterans affairs.
Proposed law requires that a recipient of the award shall be a resident of this state, shall not
have a criminal record, and shall be of good moral character.
(Amends R.S. 36:784(8))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.