Senate Votes to Permit Flag Display 

HARRISBURG –A measure sponsored by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to allow for the flying of certain flags in communities governed by neighborhood association rules has passed the Senate unanimously.

Greenleaf said he introduced Senate Bill 82 because of prohibitions against unauthorized flag displays in the rules of homeowners' associations and other residential organizations concerned with uniform property standards.

The bill addresses the display of the American Flag, the Commonwealth flag, and the flags of the branches of the United States military service on commemorative occasions such as Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. 

Under this legislation, a Marine veteran, for instance, would be permitted to fly the United States Marine Corps flag on patriotic occasions even if the Marine veteran lives in housing governed by association regulations.  Under this proposal, property management organizations would retain the right to impose reasonable rules on size, location and use of a flag pole, but they could not prevent a resident from displaying a patriotic symbol on appropriate occasions.

At least 11 states have enacted laws to ensure that individuals in these private communities may fly the American Flag, their state flag, or military flag.