SB 1303 — An Act providing for the placement of a monument of the Braille Flag at the State Capitol Building as a tribute to honor and remember those who have served in the line of duty and those left behind.

PRINTER'S NO.    1643

                   THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                       SENATE BILL
                       No. 1303
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, PENNYCUICK, ROBINSON, DUSH, MASTRIANO,
        ROTHMAN, YAW, BROWN, CAPPELLETTI, COMITTA, COSTA, CULVER,
        HAYWOOD, PICOZZI, STEFANO, VOGEL AND J. WARD, APRIL 23, 2026

     REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
        APRIL 23, 2026


                                   AN ACT
 1   Providing for the placement of a monument of the Braille Flag at
 2      the State Capitol Building as a tribute to honor and remember
 3      those who have served in the line of duty and those left
 4      behind.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby enacts as follows:
 7   Section 1.   Findings.
 8      The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
 9          (1)   The Braille Flag was created by Randolph Cabral, the
10      son of a blind WWII veteran, in honor of his father.
11          (2)   The flag was founded on the pillars of pride for our
12      homeland, love of one's family, the braveness of the patriot,
13      the selflessness of sacrifice and the inspiring legacy left
14      by veterans who have served, who have been left with long-
15      lasting disabilities, including loss of eyesight, or who have
16      paid the ultimate price.
17          (3)   In April 2008, the Braille Flag was officially
18      installed at Arlington National Cemetery as a tribute to
 1      blind veterans of all wars and other blind Americans.
 2            (4)   Many organizations have installed these flags in
 3      appreciation, including The Moose, a fraternal and service
 4      organization founded in 1888 with more than 1,000,000 members
 5      in approximately 1,500 Lodges in all 50 states.
 6   Section 2.     Monument.
 7      (a)   Location.--The Braille Flag Monument shall be located in
 8   the East Wing of the State Capitol Building.
 9      (b)   Material and form.--The Braille Flag Monument shall be
10   made of bronze and shall include the Pledge of Allegiance
11   written in braille.
12   Section 3.     The Department of General Services.
13      (a)   Coordination.--The Department of General Services shall
14   coordinate with The Moose organization and facilitate the
15   selection and preparation of the designated site, as well as the
16   placement and installation of the Braille Flag Monument.
17      (b)   Construction.--Except as provided in subsection (a),
18   nothing in this act shall be construed to impose any duties upon
19   the Department of General Services.
20   Section 4.     Effective date.
21      This act shall take effect immediately.




20260SB1303PN1643                     - 2 -