H.B. 166
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Feb 21, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH30077-NH-33
Short Title: American Indians Graduating with Honors Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Lowery.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO ALLOW AMERICAN INDIAN STUDENTS TO WEAR CULTURAL OBJECTS
3 AT PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONIES.
4 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
5 SECTION 1. The title of Article 29D of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes reads
6 as rewritten:
7 "Article 29D. Student Prayer and Religious Activity.Activity and Cultural Expression."
8 SECTION 2. Article 29D of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by
9 adding a new section to read:
10 "§ 115C-407.40. Cultural expression at graduation ceremonies.
11 A student that is, or is eligible to be, enrolled as a member of a State or federally recognized
12 Indian tribe shall be allowed to wear objects of cultural significance as part of the student's regalia
13 at any graduation ceremony for a school within a public school unit in which the student is a
14 graduating participant. For purposes of this section, an object of cultural significance includes
15 bird feathers and plumes."
16 SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.
*DRH30077-NH-33*


Statutes affected:
Edition 2: 115C-218.75, 115C-238.66, 116-239.8
Ratified: 115C-218.75, 115C-238.66, 116-239.8
SL 2023-43: 115C-218.75, 115C-238.66, 116-239.8