LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL H.B. 149
6 Approved for Filing: S. Elder 6
6 01-17-23 9:20 AM 6
1 STUDENT GRADUATION ATTIRE REVISIONS
2 2023 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Andrew Stoddard
5 Senate Sponsor: Luz Escamilla
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill allows individuals to wear cultural attire during graduation ceremonies.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 < allows all public school students to wear items of religious or cultural significance
13 as part of their graduation attire.
14 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15 None
16 Other Special Clauses:
17 None
18 Utah Code Sections Affected:
19 ENACTS:
20 53G-4-414, Utah Code Annotated 1953
21
22 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 Section 1. Section 53G-4-414 is enacted to read:
24 53G-4-414. Religious or cultural attire at school graduation ceremonies.
25 (1) As used in this section:
H.B. 149
26 (a) "Adornment" means something attached to, or worn with, but not replacing, the cap
27 and gown customarily worn at school graduation ceremonies.
*HB0149*
 H.B. 149 01-17-23 9:20 AM
28 (b) "Cultural" means recognized practices and traditions of a certain group of people.
29 (2) An LEA governing board may not prohibit a student from wearing traditional
30 recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation
31 ceremonies.
32 (3) In determining whether an adornment is a recognized object of religious or cultural
33 significance, the LEA governing board shall seek input from parents that are reflective of the
34 members of the religious or cultural group that the object is associated with.
35 (4) This section does not:
36 (a) limit an LEA governing board's discretion and authority to prohibit adornment that
37 is likely to cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the graduation
38 ceremony;
39 (b) limit an LEA's authority related to student expression under applicable federal and
40 state law; or
41 (c) limit or impair the rights of a qualifying student under Section 53G-4-412 to wear
42 tribal regalia to a graduation ceremony.
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