I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4212 
To amend title 4, United States Code, to reflect contemporary customs 
and practices with respect to the flag, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 28, 2021 
Mr. WOMACK (for himself, Mr. GOLDEN, Mr. WESTERMAN, Mr. DESJARLAIS, 
Mr. CRAWFORD, Mr. GOHMERT, Miss GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N, Mr. COLE, and 
Mr. BAIRD) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To amend title 4, United States Code, to reflect contem-
porary customs and practices with respect to the flag, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Flag Code Moderniza-
tion Act of 2021’’. 
SEC. 2. FLAG PRACTICES. 
(a) DISPLAY AND USE OF FLAG BY CIVILIANS.—Sec-
tion 5 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘such civilians or civilian groups or organizations’’ and 
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inserting ‘‘such civilians, civilian groups, organizations, or 
corporations’’. 
(b) TIME AND OCCASIONS FOR DISPLAY.—Section 
6(d) of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘December 25;’’ and inserting ‘‘December 25; Presidents 
Day, third Monday in February; Thomas Jefferson’s 
Birthday, April 13; Loyalty Day–Law Day USA, May 1; 
National Maritime Day, May 22; Flag Week, week of June 
14; Aviation Day, August 19; Patriot Day (half-staff), 
September 11; POW/MIA Recognition Day, third Friday 
in September; American Gold Star Mother’s Day, last 
Sunday in September; Pearl Harbor Day (half-staff), De-
cember 7;’’. 
(c) POSITION AND MANNER OF DISPLAY.—Section 7 
of title 4, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘flag’s right.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘flag’s right. The flags should be of 
approximately equal size or the flag of the United 
States shall be the larger flag.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘peace.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘peace. The flags of such nations shall be 
displayed to the observer’s right and in alphabetical 
order from left to right.’’. 
(d) RESPECT FOR FLAG.—Section 8 of title 4, United 
States Code, is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘should never 
be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and 
free.’’ and inserting ‘‘shall be displayed aloft and 
free. Unless such flag may be carried flat or hori-
zontally for a patriotic purpose, including if the flag 
is too large to be displayed aloft and free.’’; 
(2) in subsection (i), by striking ‘‘It should not 
be embroidered on such articles as cushions or hand-
kerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise im-
pressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that 
is designed for temporary use and discard.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘policemen’’ 
and inserting ‘‘policemen, postal workers’’. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
ths section shall take effect 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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