Sgt. Walter F. Hartnett IV Green Star Veterans Service Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6022
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-04T08:07:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to honor veterans who died by suicide on or after September 11, 2001, by establishing a special flag that their next of kin (such as family members) can display as a symbol of recognition and remembrance.
Key Provisions
- Flag Designation: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) must design and designate a flag called the "Green Star Service Flag" specifically for next of kin of "covered veterans" (veterans who died by suicide on or after September 11, 2001).
- Display Rights: Next of kin, defined broadly to include immediate family members (as outlined in existing VA family support laws) or others specified in VA regulations, are entitled to display the flag.
- Manufacturing and Sales: Any person can apply to the VA for a license to make and sell the flag. Unauthorized manufacturing or sales result in a civil penalty of up to $1,000 payable to the United States.
- Implementation: The law amends Chapter 9 of Title 36, United States Code (which covers patriotic customs and observances), by adding a new section (905) and updating the chapter's table of contents.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, dedicated flag for veteran suicide survivors, which did not previously exist under Title 36.
- Builds on existing definitions in Title 38 (VA benefits code) for family members but expands "next of kin" through VA rulemaking, allowing flexibility in eligibility.
- Adds enforcement mechanisms, including licensing and penalties, to protect the flag's official status, similar to rules for other service flags (e.g., Gold Star for families of fallen service members in combat).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The VA will incur administrative costs for designing the flag, processing licenses, and enforcing penalties, potentially requiring minor budget allocations or regulatory updates.
- Citizens: Provides emotional and symbolic support to families of veterans lost to suicide, helping to raise public awareness about veteran mental health issues without imposing new financial burdens on individuals.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses solely on domestic veteran honors.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Next of Kin of Covered Veterans: Primary beneficiaries who gain the right to display the flag for remembrance.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for design, licensing, and regulation enforcement.
- Flag Manufacturers and Sellers: Must obtain licenses to produce and distribute the flag legally, creating new business opportunities alongside compliance requirements.
- Veterans' Advocacy Groups: Indirectly supported through increased visibility for suicide prevention efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes clear civil penalties for violations, ensuring controlled use of the flag while promoting accessibility; relies on VA regulations for implementation, which could lead to future administrative challenges if eligibility disputes arise.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts, as it involves symbolic speech and government recognition of service, aligning with First Amendment protections for expression without restricting private activities.
- Political: Symbolically addresses the ongoing public health crisis of veteran suicides (a bipartisan concern), potentially encouraging further mental health funding or awareness campaigns, though it introduces no substantive policy changes beyond the flag itself.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-11-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Sgt. Walter F. Hartnett IV Green Star Veterans Service Act — issued 2025-11-12 — PDF (3 pages)