N.J. Stat. tit. 52, ch. 3

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-1 State flag; color

The state flag shall be of buff color, having in the center thereof the arms of the state emblazoned thereon.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-2 State flag to be headquarters flag

The state flag shall be the headquarters flag for the governor as commander in chief, but shall not supersede distinctive flags which are or may be prescribed for different arms of military or naval service of this state.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-3 Display of flag on state house

A suitable flag shall be hoisted and displayed on the state house flagstaff during the hours when the senate or house of assembly is in session, and on such days as the governor is present at the state house for the transaction of state business in the discharge of his official duty, and it shall be the duty of the custodian of the state house, or such person as shall be delegated to take care of such building, to display such flag during the hours intervening between sunrise and sunset upon all national holidays.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-4 Display of foreign flag unaccompanied by national flag prohibited; exception; violation misdemeanor

It shall be unlawful to display the flag or emblem of any foreign state or country either on public or private property within this state, unless such foreign flag or emblem be accompanied by a national flag of the United States of America, of at least equal dimensions; but whenever a foreigner becomes the guest of the United States, the state, or any city or municipality, upon the proclamation of the governor or the mayor of any such city or municipality, the flag of the country of which such public guest shall be a citizen may be displayed upon any state, county or municipal building without being accompanied by a national flag as above provided. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding sixty days, or both.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-5 Preservation of historic flags

All historic battle and other flags of the State displayed in the State House shall be maintained and preserved by the State authority in whose custody they are. Removal of historic battle flags for display elsewhere than in the State House may be authorized by the State House Commission. Amended by L.1961, c. 16, p. 92, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-6 Display of state flag

The State flag may be displayed on all occasions and in such manner as it shall be appropriate and lawful to display the flag of the United States. L.1938, c. 86, p. 205, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-7 Historic flags; repair and preservation

The Adjutant-General is hereby authorized and directed to provide for the repair and preservation of all historic flags of the State of New Jersey. L.1938, c. 129, p. 281, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-8 American Night on National Flag Day

The Governor be and he is hereby authorized to name, designate and hereafter cause to be known the period between sundown and midnight of National Flag Day as "American Night." L.1938, p. 1006, Joint Res. No. 7, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-9 Findings, declarations

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Over 2,400 Americans, including 64 from the State of New Jersey, who served in the United States armed forces during the war in Indochina are still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. b. There is significant evidence that many of these missing American servicemen are still alive and being held against their will in Indochina. c. This nation is deeply indebted to its servicemen of all wars and conflicts for their courage and sacrifice and should demonstrate its special commitment to the missing men of all wars and conflicts and their families by obtaining the release of those still held prisoner and the fullest possible accounting from the responsible governments of Americans listed as missing. d. The P.0.W.-M.I.A. flag is an appropriate symbol of the plight of these missing Americans which serves to remind the public of the commitment this nation must have to determining the fate of its servicemen. e. It is appropriate, therefore, that the P.0.W.-M.I.A. flag should be displayed at public buildings throughout this State in order to increase public awareness of the P.0.W.-M.I.A. issue and to gain public support for the efforts of the United States government to resolve this matter. P.L. 1988, c. 16, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-10 P.O.W.-M.I.A. flag display

The P.0.W.-M.I.A. flag, which depicts a prisoner's profile against the background of a P.0.W. camp watchtower, shall be displayed at public buildings in the State of New Jersey during normal business hours. As used in this section, "public buildings" means the principal municipal building in each municipality, the principal county building in each county seat and the State House in Trenton. P.L. 1988, c. 16, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-11 Flag at half-staff

The Governor shall, upon receiving timely notification and verification of the death of a New Jersey citizen who has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by an act of the Congress of the United States, direct that the State flag at all public buildings throughout the State be flown at half-staff for a period of one week following the death of such a citizen. P.L. 1988, c. 43, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-12 State House flags flown at half-staff; death in line of duty for police, firemen, paramedics, EMTs.

1. a. The Governor, upon timely notification and verification of the death of a federal, State or local law enforcement officer or firefighter who either works in New Jersey or is a citizen of New Jersey and who died in the line of duty, shall direct that the flag of the United States and the State flag be flown at half-staff for one week at the State House. The flags shall be flown upon an existing flagstaff or flagstaffs or, at the option of the Governor, a flagstaff or flagstaffs erected at an appropriate site, after consultation with organizations representing law enforcement officers and firefighters on the location and design of the flagstaff or flagstaffs. The flags flown in honor of the deceased law enforcement officer or firefighter shall be presented to the family of that officer or firefighter. b. The Governor, upon timely notification and verification of the death of a member of a duly incorporated first aid and emergency or volunteer ambulance or rescue squad or association rendering services in a county or municipality of this State or a duly certified mobile intensive care paramedic or emergency medical technician who either works in New Jersey or is a citizen of New Jersey and who died in the line of duty while rendering first aid, ambulance, rescue or emergency medical service, shall direct that the flag of the United States and the State flag be flown at half-staff for one week at the State House. The flags shall be flown upon an existing flagstaff or flagstaffs or, at the option of the Governor, a flagstaff or flagstaffs erected at an appropriate site, after consultation with organizations representing first aid, ambulance, rescue or emergency medical service providers on the location and design of the flagstaff or flagstaffs. The flags flown in honor of the deceased member, paramedic or technician shall be presented to the family of that member, paramedic or technician. L.1998,c.16,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-12.1 Electronic notification system for flags flying at half-staff.

1. The Secretary of State shall create and maintain an electronic notification system in which a person may sign-up to receive automatic notification of when the Governor orders the United States flag and the State flag flown at half-staff. The notification shall include the date and purpose for the flags being flown at half-staff. L.2015, c.162, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-13 Designation of "Honor and Remember Flag."

1. The "Honor and Remember Flag" is designated as the State's official flag for recognizing all armed service members who have died as a result of serving the United States in any war or conflict the nation has been involved in since its inception. L.2012, c.66, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:3-14 Killed in Action flag designated an official State flag.

1. a. The Killed in Action (K.I.A.) flag is designated an official State flag for recognizing members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action, or died of wounds resulting from injuries received in action, in any war or conflict in which the United States has been involved. The K.I.A. flag is a red flag which depicts the silhouette of a helmet on top of a firearm next to a servicemember. b. The flag shall be displayed during normal business hours at the State House in Trenton, the principal municipal building in each municipality, and the principal county building in each county seat. L.2017, c.188, s.1.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026