To amend title 36, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a flag for next of kin of veterans who die by suicide.

To amend title 36, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a flag for next of kin of veterans who die by suicide.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

SEC. 2. Green Star Service Flag for next of kin of veterans deceased as result of suicide.

(a) Green Star Service Flag.—Chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Ҥ 905. Green Star Service Flag

“(a) Designation.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall design and designate a flag as the Green Star Service Flag to identify next of kin of covered veterans.

“(b) Individuals entitled To display Green Star Service Flag.—An individual who is next of kin of a covered veteran may display the Green Star Service Flag.

“(c) License To manufacture and sell.—Any person may apply to the Secretary for a license to manufacture and sell the designated Green Star Service Flag. A person that manufactures a Green Star Service Flag without having first obtained a license or otherwise violates this section is liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.

“(d) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) The term ‘covered veteran’ means a veteran who died—

“(A) on or after September 11, 2001; and

“(B) as the result of suicide.

“(2) The term ‘next of kin’ includes—

“(A) a family member, as that term is defined in section 1720K of title 38; and

“(B) any individual specified by the Secretary in regulations prescribed pursuant to this section.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: