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Senate passes bill letting students wear authorized military decorations at graduation
Summary
House Bill 1068 allows students to wear sashes, stoles or other military decorations issued by the National Guard or another military branch at school graduation ceremonies; the measure included an emergency clause and passed 35-0.
The South Dakota Senate passed House Bill 1068 to permit students to wear authorized military decorations at school graduation ceremonies and declared the bill an emergency measure.
Senator Vojta, sponsor on the floor, said many school districts already allow such apparel but some districts had been leery; the bill specifically limits allowable items to a sash, stole or other military decoration issued by the National Guard or another branch so that appearances remain uniform. "So it's going to be uniform," Vojta said, and the bill aims to give schools confidence to allow recognition for students who enlisted.
Because the bill included an emergency clause, final passage required a two-thirds vote. The roll call recorded 35 yeas and 0 nays; the President declared the bill passed and the title correct.
Ending: The new rule will permit authorized military decorations at graduations statewide where districts adopt the practice; the emergency clause means the effective date will be immediate upon enactment as provided by law.
