SENATE DOCKET, NO. 615        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1440

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act providing that no other flag or pennant be flown higher than the American flag..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, except the provisions of sections five to eight, inclusive, of chapter two hundred and sixty-four of the General Laws, no person or organization shall display a flag, burgee or pennant, national or international, above or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States.

It shall be deemed a violation of the section if a burgee, pennant, streamer or other similar flag device is displayed on a truck, mast, staff, pole, arm or gaff in a position higher in elevation to the flag of the United States, whether on land or vessel in the territorial waters of the Commonwealth.

A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.