CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2551
Chapter 35, Laws of 2020
66TH LEGISLATURE
2020 REGULAR SESSION
GRADUATION CEREMONIES--TRIBAL REGALIA
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 18, 2020
Passed by the House February 12, 2020 Yeas 95 Nays 1 LAURIE JINKINS
Speaker of the House of Representatives Passed by the Senate March 3, 2020 Yeas 48 Nays 1 CYRUS HABIB
President of the Senate | CERTIFICATE I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2551 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth. BERNARD DEAN
Chief Clerk Chief Clerk |
Approved March 18, 2020 10:38 AM | FILED March 18, 2020 |
JAY INSLEE
Governor of the State of Washington | Secretary of State State of Washington |
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2551
Passed Legislature - 2020 Regular Session
State of Washington | 66th Legislature | 2020 Regular Session |
ByHouse State Government & Tribal Relations (originally sponsored by Representatives Lekanoff, Ramel, Rude, Leavitt, Valdez, Davis, Doglio, Walen, Pollet, Macri, Ormsby, and Santos)
READ FIRST TIME 02/07/20.
AN ACT Relating to permitting students to wear traditional tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies and related events; adding a new section to chapter
28A.600 RCW; adding a new section to chapter
28B.10 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that relationships between sovereign governments are strengthened when decisions of mutual interest are based in a shared respect of cultural values. The legislature recognizes also that school districts, public schools, and institutions of higher education may use dress codes and other requirements to restrict the wearing of tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies.
Although the restrictions may be premised on promoting uniformity, they are not appropriate in the context of government-to-government relationships and do not recognize the distinct and unique cultural heritage of Native Americans.
The legislature, therefore, intends to affirm inherent rights assured through tribal sovereignty and expressly acknowledge that students in public schools and institutions of higher education may wear traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies and related events.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter
28A.600 RCW to read as follows:
(1) School districts and public schools may not prohibit students who are members of a federally recognized tribe from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of Native American cultural significance along with or attached to a gown at graduation ceremonies or related school events. School districts and public schools may not require such students to wear a cap if it is incompatible with the regalia or significant object.
(2) School districts and, when necessary, public schools shall update any relevant policies or procedures in accordance with this section.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "public schools" has the same meaning as in RCW
28A.150.010.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Sections 2 and 4 of this act apply to the graduating class of 2020 and subsequent graduating classes.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter
28B.10 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Institutions of higher education may not prohibit students who are members of a federally recognized tribe from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of Native American cultural significance along with or attached to a gown at graduation ceremonies or related events. Institutions of higher education may not require such students to wear a cap if it is incompatible with the regalia or significant object.
(2) Institutions of higher education shall update any relevant policies or procedures in accordance with this section.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "institutions of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW
28B.10.016.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act may be known and cited as the right to tribal regalia act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
Passed by the House February 12, 2020.
Passed by the Senate March 3, 2020.
Approved by the Governor March 18, 2020.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 18, 2020.
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