Committee Supports Greenleaf Bill to Fly Flags

HARRISBURG—A measure offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to protect an individual's right to fly the American flag or a military service flag in residential areas regulated by homeowners' organizations was approved by the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee.

Senate Bill 1147, which now awaits Senate floor action, was introduced by the senator at the request of a Korean War veteran who wanted to fly the Marine service flag on commemorative occasions. The Greenleaf bill would block unit owners' associations, homeowners' associations, and master associations from preventing the flying of the American flag or military service flags, as long as the American flag is displayed in line with provisions in the United States Code and the military service flag is displayed in accordance with reasonable rules and regulations adopted by a residential association regarding placement and manner of display.

"An association would still have leeway in regulating certain elements of the display, but it would not have authority to bar the flying of these flags," Greenleaf said. Under the bill, an association may adopt reasonable rules regarding the location, size, and use of a flagpole but cannot prohibit the use of wall brackets to display the American flag or a military service flag. Flags would be limited, under the bill, to standard size—five by three feet, and military flags would be permitted to be flown on Presidents Day, Iwo Jima Flag Raising Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, V-E Day, V-J Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Pearl harbor Day, Patriots Day, POW-MIA Recognition Day, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, and the anniversary date of each branch of the United States armed forces.

"This is a reasonable bill that recognizes a citizen's right to express patriotism or pride in military service in a traditional fashion. I am hopeful that it has the support to pass the Senate," Greenleaf said.