Sponsors (7)
The bill creates an official commemorative flag and central VA oversight to honor certain veterans who died by suicide (post‑9/11) and to control production, improving recognition and preventing profiteering, but it restricts eligibility, may cause administrative delays, and imposes compliance penalties on small producers.
Next-of-kin of veterans who died by suicide on or after Sept 11, 2001 can publicly display an official designated flag to recognize their loss and foster public acknowledgement.
Administration and oversight of the flag program are assigned to the Department of Veterans Affairs, placing issuance with an existing veterans-focused agency familiar with survivor issues.
Establishes a regulated trademark/licensing process so manufacturers can lawfully produce the flag, helping families access official flags and reducing unauthorized profiteering.
Families of veterans who died by suicide before Sept 11, 2001 or of veterans who died by other causes are excluded from eligibility, which may be perceived as unequal recognition and cause distress.
Eligible families may face bureaucratic hurdles or delays if VA licensing and next-of-kin verification processes are slow or narrowly implemented, limiting timely access to the symbol.
Small manufacturers or hobby sellers who produce the flag without a VA license risk civil penalties (up to $1,000), imposing compliance costs and legal risk on small businesses or individuals unaware of the rule.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a VA‑administered Green Star Service Flag to identify next of kin of veterans who died by suicide since Sept 11, 2001, and licenses manufacturers with civil penalties for violations.
Official title: To amend title 36, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a flag for next of kin of veterans who die by suicide.
Introduced November 12, 2025 by Robert P. Bresnahan · Last progress November 12, 2025
Creates a new federally recognized "Green Star Service Flag" to identify the next of kin of veterans who died by suicide on or after September 11, 2001. The Department of Veterans Affairs will design and administer the flag program, regulate who may display the flag, license manufacturers, and enforce a civil penalty (up to $1,000) for unlicensed manufacture or other violations. Adds the flag program into Title 36 (patriotic and national observances) and defines eligible "covered veterans" and eligible next of kin, while authorizing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to set further rules by regulation.