Montana § 1-1-547 - Display Of Flags And Banners On Government Property

§ 1-1-547. Display Of Flags And Banners On Government Property

Display of flags and banners on government property. (1) No flag or banner may be displayed in or on government property, including but not limited to state buildings and grounds, public schools, and other government-owned facilities, other than the following flags and banners: (a) the United States flag; (b) the official flag of the state of Montana, or any county, municipality, special district, or other political subdivision within the state; (c) the official flag of a school district, public university, or community college; (d) the official flag of any state in the United States; (e) the official flag of any federally recognized tribal nation; (f) the official flag of any federally recognized foreign nation; (g) the official flag of any of the branches and units of the United States military; (h) official historical flags of the United States and the state of Montana, including but not limited to the Betsy Ross flag, Gadsden flag, and other flags of historical significance; (i) the POW/MIA flag, as provided in 1-1-541 ; (j) flags or banners representing official school mascots and colors; and (k) official law enforcement flags, including but not limited to flags honoring law enforcement officers and fallen officers. (2) (a) No flags or banners may be displayed on state property that represent a political viewpoint, including but not limited to flags or banners regarding a political party, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political ideology. (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to flags recognizing official government entities, law enforcement agencies, military branches, or public service organizations. (3) Nothing in 1-1-545 through 1-1-547 may be construed to limit the private speech of individuals, and nothing in 1-1-545 through 1-1-547 may be interpreted to restrict expressions of personal belief outside of official government displays. (4) Sections 1-1-545 through 1-1-547 do not apply to personal clothing, jewelry, or accessories worn by government employees, except where specific uniform policies or official dress codes apply.