An Act amending the act of March 4, 1970 (P.L.128, No.49), entitled "An act granting to the Governor of the Commonwealth the sole authority for regulating the display of the flag of the United States from any public ground or building and from any ground or building of certain other institutions," further providing for display of Green Star Service Banner.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and 15 co-sponsors

HB 2449 would add provisions to recognize and display the Green Star Service Banner alongside the U.S. flag on public property in Pennsylvania.

Referred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

Basic purpose

HB 2449 proposes an amendment to the act of March 4, 1970 (P.L.128, No.49), which governs the Governor’s authority to regulate the display of the United States flag on public grounds, public buildings, and certain other institutions. The bill’s stated focus is to provide for the display of the Green Star Service Banner, recognizing Green Star Families in Pennsylvania.

Key provisions and changes

Amend the existing flag display statute to include provisions related to the Green Star Service Banner.

Establish recognition or display provisions specific to Green Star Families (families of service members who are wounded, ill, or injured, and related Green Star initiatives as recognized in Pennsylvania).

Note: The full text references “display of Green Star Service Banner” but the exact statutory language is not included in the provided materials. The emphasis is on codifying and clarifying how the Green Star Service Banner is to be displayed alongside or within the framework of the state’s flag display regulations.

Who/what is affected

Public grounds and buildings in Pennsylvania that are subject to the governor’s authority to regulate flag displays.

Green Star Families and associated service banners (Green Star Service Banner) as recognized by the Commonwealth.

State and local entities responsible for flag displays on public properties, as well as any institutions explicitly covered by the 1970 act.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Prime sponsor: Representative Nancy Guenst (D, HD 152)

Co-sponsors: A broad slate of Democratic members from various districts.

Status: Reflected as an introduced bill referred to the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Latest action (as of the provided data): Referred to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness on April 23, 2026.

No votes or committee hearing data provided in the current record.

Potential impact

Provides a formal mechanism to recognize and display the Green Star Service Banner within Pennsylvania’s flag display framework.

Signals ongoing support for Green Star Families, potentially influencing public and institutional commemorations, public ceremony protocols, and flag display practices in line with the banner’s recognition.

Can affect how institutions handle flag-related symbolism on public property, requiring updates to policies or display guidelines to include the Green Star Banner.

Notes for readers

The available information does not include the exact statutory text or specific display requirements (e.g., placement, ordering, or size) for the Green Star Banner.

The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process (committee referral) and would need to pass the committee, the full House, the Senate, and receive the Governor’s signature to become law.

For complete clarity on the text, language, and penalties (if any), refer to the bill’s actual text (HB 2449 PN 3262) and subsequent amendments.

Bill