Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee
HB 2267
Brief Description: Providing public school students with opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies.
Sponsors: Representatives McEntire, Morgan, Ybarra, Stonier, Harris, Ormsby, Chapman, Senn, Davis, Thai, Santos, Callan, Cortes, Pollet and Simmons.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to permit students to wear one item or object of cultural significance with or attached to their gown at high school commencements and other official graduation ceremonies and events.
Hearing Date: 1/16/24
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:

With limited exceptions, determinations about attire and accessories that may be worn by students at graduation ceremonies are determined by school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools.


In accordance with the local authority, the Washington State School Directors' Association, the state agency that provides advice and assistance to school boards and adopts model policies and procedures that districts may adopt, has developed a model policy and procedure addressing student graduation attire.  Among other provisions, the model policy specifies that students who participate in graduation ceremonies must participate in the ceremony rehearsal, that students must use good taste in their choice of accessories for their attire, and that failure to comply with requirements may result in the forfeiture of a student's privilege to participate in the ceremony.


At the state level, legislation enacted in 2020 provided that 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.
Summary of Bill:

School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools must permit students to wear one item or object of cultural significance with or attached to their gown at high school commencements and other official graduation ceremonies and events.  The items or objects must be befitting of the ceremony or event and adhere to applicable decorum requirements of the school district, charter school, or state-tribal education compact school.


Provisions related to the wearing of traditional tribal regalia or objects of Native American cultural significance by students who are members of a federally recognized tribe are not modified or otherwise effected.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.