Flag Status

Flag status and half-staff notifications for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey has ordered that the United States of America Flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately today, March 29, 2023, until sunset on the day of interment, in honor of the life and legacy of former Representative Melvin Herbert King, who passed away on March 28, 2023.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1.  The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2.  Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3.  All state military installations

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Please be advised that as a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, and in accordance with a Presidential Proclamation, Governor Maura T. Healey has ordered the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately today, March 28, 2023, until sunset on March 31, 2023.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1.  The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2.  Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3.  All state military installations

Information About Flag Protocol

The decision to fly flags at half-staff ultimately rests with the Governor, but is normally carried out by the Superintendent.

The Bureau of the State House notifies other state-managed facilities in Massachusetts of this decision. This notification is distributed by way of email.

If you would like to be added to this list, please send a blank email to subscribe-bsb-halfstaffnotification@listserv.state.ma.us.

Requests for multiple addresses to be added can be sent to the State House Events Coordinator at sh.events@state.ma.us. Include "Subscribe to Half-Staff Notifications" in the subject line and list each email address on a separate line in the body of the email.

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