Whereas, this legislation requiring that a missing-in-action flag be flown from state-owned flag poles is being offered as a reminder of those individuals who are designated as missing in action; and

Whereas, the American Legion has offered to oversee the acquisition and distribution of the missing-in-action flags; and

Whereas, it would be a fitting tribute to those designated as missing in action to have the flags distributed before Memorial Day; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 1 MRSA §206-A is enacted to read:

§206-A.__Missing-in-action flag

The Governor shall require that the missing-in-action flag be flown from each state-owned flag pole where the state flag is flown until the time that all those individuals designated as missing in action are released or accounted for.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that the missing-in-action flag be flown from each flag pole where the state flag is flown.