Rhode Island General Laws Title 30. Military Affairs and Defense § 30-18-3. Change in treatment of certain discharges

(a) For purposes of this chapter, all former members of the armed forces who were separated from the service with a general or other than honorable discharge due solely to their sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, may petition the office of veterans services on forms and conditions prescribed under § 30-18-4, to have his or her discharge recorded as honorable.

(b) Upon a determination by the office of veterans services that the member was separated from the armed forces with a general or other than honorable discharge due solely to their sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, the director of the office of veterans services shall provide a form to be recorded pursuant to §§ 30-18-1 and 30-18-2 certifying that the member's discharge is to be treated as honorable.

(c) Persons who have the characterization of their discharge changed under this section shall be afforded the same rights, privileges, and benefits authorized by general or public law to service members who were honorably discharged.