PRINTER'S NO. 419
No. 401 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY MURPHY, FEBRUARY 19, 1999
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 19, 1999
AN ACT
1 Relating to the flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
3 hereby enacts as follows:
4 Section 1. Short title.
5 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Flag Code.
6 Section 2. Respect for flag.
7 (a) Disrespect prohibited.--No disrespect should be shown to
8 the flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Regimental colors,
9 State flags and organization or institutional flags are to be
10 dipped as a mark of honor.
11 (b) Display.--The flag should never be displayed down except
12 as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to
13 life or property.
14 (c) Control.--The flag should never touch anything beneath
15 it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
16 (d) Wearing apparel.--The flag should never be used as
17 wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should never be
1 festooned, drawn back nor up, in folds but always allowed to
2 fall free.
3 (e) Care of flag.--The flag should never be fastened,
4 displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be
5 easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.
6 (f) Ceiling covering.--The flag should never be used as a
7 covering for a ceiling.
8 (g) Modifications of flag.--The flag should never have
9 placed upon it nor on any part of it nor attached to it any
10 mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing
11 of any nature.
12 (h) Use as receptacle.--The flag should never be used as a
13 receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering
14 anything.
15 (i) Advertising.--The flag should never be used for
16 advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be
17 embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and
18 the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or
19 boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and
20 discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or
21 halyard from which the flag is flown.
22 (j) Costume or uniform.--No part of the flag should ever be
23 used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may
24 be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen,
25 policemen and members of patriotic organizations. The flag
26 represents a living entity and is itself considered a living
27 thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be
28 worn on the left lapel near the heart.
29 (k) Retirement of flag.--The flag, when it is in such
30 condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,
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1 should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
2 Section 3. Effective date.
3 This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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