U.S. Rep. John Boccieri introduced a bill Thursday that would ban neighborhood or homeowners associations from restricting the flying of service flags.

"Service flags" are official Defense Department banners -- like the Blue Star or Gold Star flag -- for families who've had service members killed in action. Each blue star on the flag represents a service member in active duty, while a gold star signifies a service member killed in action or who died in service.

Boccieri, D-Ohio, an Iraq war veteran, said the legislation "ensures the rights of an individual to display the service flag on residential property without limitation."

"The service flag has significant meaning to our nation and the families of men and women who are serving," said Boccieri. "It is a symbol of the sacrifices our service members make when they put their lives on the line to protect our country. Family members should be allowed to fly the flag in honor of those sacrifices, no matter where they live."

In April, a constituent of Boccieri's was asked by her condo association to remove her service flag that she flies in honor of her son who was killed. The condo association said flying such a flag was a breach of contract.

Boccieri's bill is similar to the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005, which prohibits a condo or homeowners association from preventing residents from displaying the American flag on or around their homes. Boccieri's bill extends these same privileges to the service flag.

FOX News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.