H.R. 7815 – Red Star Service Banner Act

H.R. 7815 is the Red Star Service Banner Act, a bill introduced in the 119th Congress. It would amend Chapter 9 of Title 36 of the United States Code to officially recognize the Red Star Service Banner, honoring current military members, veterans, and first responders who have died by suicide and the families they left behind.

The Red Star Service Banner Act would give the Red Star Service Banner statutory recognition as a commemorative service banner. As introduced, it allows the banner to be displayed alongside other recognized service banners and authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to take appropriate actions to increase public awareness and understanding of the banner.

Congressman Jack Bergman of Michigan introduced H.R. 7815 on March 5, 2026, and is its primary sponsor. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee the same day. Members of Congress from both parties and many states have since joined as cosponsors, making it bipartisan service banner legislation.

Red Star Foundation created the Red Star Service Banner. The nonprofit designed the banner to recognize families who have lost a current military member, veteran, or first responder to suicide, and it provides banners and service pins to those families today. H.R. 7815 would give that existing banner national recognition in federal law.

No. H.R. 7815 has not passed and is not federal law. Based on the latest confirmed information, it has been introduced in the House and referred to committee. To become law it must pass both the House and the Senate and then be signed by the President or otherwise enacted as the Constitution provides.

The Red Star Service Banner is a commemorative banner that honors those lost to suicide and acknowledges their families. For these Red Star Families it is a symbol of hope, recognition, and connection, showing that their loved one's life and service are remembered and that they are not alone.

The bill recognizes current military members and veterans who have died by suicide, and acknowledges the enduring sacrifice of their families. It also provides for the banner to be displayed in remembrance of first responders who have died by suicide, extending military suicide recognition to families whose loved ones served their communities.

Blue Star Service Banners honor families with a loved one serving in the armed forces during wartime, and Gold Star Service Banners honor families whose loved one died in that service. The Red Star Service Banner recognizes families who lost a current military member, veteran, or first responder to suicide, a group often left out of those traditions.

No. As introduced, H.R. 7815 does not create a new federal benefits entitlement and does not authorize additional appropriations. Its purpose is recognition: establishing the Red Star Service Banner in Title 36 and encouraging public awareness of the families it honors.

No. The introduced bill does not require the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine individual banner eligibility or run a banner program. It authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to take appropriate actions to increase awareness and understanding of the Red Star Service Banner.

Families can request a Red Star Service Banner today through the Red Star Foundation banner request form; there is no need to wait for Congress. The banner is available to families who have lost a current military member, veteran, or first responder to suicide, and there is no cost for the initial banner and service pin.

The official status, actions, and cosponsor list for H.R. 7815 are published on Congress.gov, and the introduced bill text is available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office on GovInfo. Red Star Foundation also shares updates in Red Star News as the effort toward national recognition continues.