Title 36 — Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73

§904 Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle I— - Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies › Part Part A— - Observances and Ceremonies › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - MISCELLANEOUS › § 904

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag honors and shows the United States’ promise to recognize and work for the freedom of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad. The flag must be shown at the Capitol, the White House, and the buildings with the Secretary of State’s and Secretary of Defense’s offices on March 9, June 14, July 4, and any day someone returns to the United States after being held or dies while being held. It must be placed so the public can see it. No employee must come to work only to put the flag up.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §904

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag championed by the Bring Our Families Home Campaign is designated as the symbol of the commitment of the United States to recognizing, and prioritizing the freedom of, citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad.

(b)(1)The Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag shall be displayed at the locations specified in paragraph (3) on the days specified in paragraph (2).

(2)The days specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A)U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, March 9.

(B)Flag Day, June 14.

(C)Independence Day, July 4.

(D)Any day on which a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States—

(i)returns to the United States from being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad; or

(ii)dies while being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

(3)The locations specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A)The Capitol.

(B)The White House.

(C)The buildings containing the official office of—

(i)the Secretary of State; and

(ii)the Secretary of Defense.

(c)Display of the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag pursuant to this section shall be in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public.

(d)This section may not be construed or applied so as to require any employee to report to work solely for the purpose of providing for the display of the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 904

Title 36 — Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73