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H.R. 1522: Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023

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The text of the bill below is as of Mar 9, 2023 (Introduced).

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1522

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 9, 2023

(for herself and Mr. Hill) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend title 36, United States Code, to request the President to issue an annual proclamation designating Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, to designate the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag as an official symbol to recognize citizens of the United States held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day Act of 2023.

2.

Designation

(a)

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day

(1)

In general

Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended—

(A)

by redesignating the second section 146 (relating to Choose Respect Day) as section 147; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following:

148.

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day

The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—

(1)

designating a day as Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day; and

(2)

calling on the people of the United States to observe Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

.

(2)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to the second section 146 and inserting the following:

147. Choose Respect Day.

148. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.

.

(b)

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag

(1)

In general

Chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

904.

Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag

(a)

Designation

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 citizens of the United States held as hostages or wrongfully detained abroad.

(b)

Required display

(1)

In general

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

(2)

Locations specified

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.

(3)

Days specified

The days specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A)

Flag Day, June 14.

(B)

Independence Day, July 4.

(C)

Any other 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.

(4)

Display to Be in a Manner Visible to the Public

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

(5)

Limitation

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.

.

(2)

Technical and conforming amendment

The table of sections for chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

904. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag.

.