House approves Chairman Azzinaro’s veterans information bill

 

            STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Samuel A. Azzinaro which would require employers to post basic information on veterans' benefits and services within their businesses for their employees.

            “While our veterans have sacrificed so much for us all, it is no secret that acclimating back to civilian life at home can be difficult and this is why there are so many benefits and services to help our veterans after their time in the service.  But our veterans cannot access these benefits and services if they are not aware of them and that is why this legislation is needed.  By offering this simple piece of information, we can provide the support to our veterans that they need and deserve,” said Chairman Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly).

            The legislation (2023-H 5933) would require employers in the state with more than 50 employees to display a poster containing basic information on veterans’ benefits and services which would be created and distributed by the Department of Labor and Training in consultation with the Office of Veterans Services.

            The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration where Sen. Walter S. Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced the legislation (2023-S 0662).

 

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on former President Donald Trump's claim he has absolute immunity on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The outcome could determine whether Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding.        The abortion issue was front and center in America on Wednesday. First, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case is over whether Idaho's near-total abortion ban conflicts with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide patients emergency care. A decision is expected in June. Later in the day, Arizona's House of Representatives voted to repeal a Civil War-era abortion law that bans nearly all abortions, and the bill now heads to the state Senate.        The seven World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza will be honored this morning at Washington National Cathedral. The workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 1st while bringing food aid to people in the war torn Palestinian territory.        The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the Federal Trade Commission over its banning of noncompete agreements. The FTC voted Tuesday to block new noncompete agreements and require employers not to enforce current noncompetes, with an exception for senior executives. Business groups argue that these agreements are actually necessary to protect their intellectual property. They accuse the FTC of regulatory overreach.       A Beatles guitar that's been missing for over 50 years has been discovered in the attic of a British house. Julien's Auctions says the 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar is the same one John Lennon played on classics like "Norwegian Wood," and he can be seen playing the guitar in the movie "Help!" It will be going up for auction next month in New York City.        The road to the NBA Finals continued on Wednesday. The Miami Heat pulled off a 111-101 upset victory over the Boston Celtics in Game Two at TD Garden. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 at the Paycom Center.