House committee hears bill to allow one item of cultural expression at graduation ceremonies

House Education Committee members heard testimony on House Bill 1393 on the rights of students to wear a single culturally significant item at high school commencements and related graduation events. The bill would require school districts, charter schools, and state tribal education compact schools to permit one item or object of cultural significance to be worn with or attached to a graduation gown, provided the item is befitting of the ceremony and complies with applicable decorum rules; schools could forbid an item likely to cause substantial disruption or materially interfere with the ceremony.

The bill was introduced to the committee by Representative Joel McIntyre (19th District). Committee staff Damian Morton Snipper of the Office of Program Research summarized the measure and noted current law and practice: by statute districts set school dress rules, Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) maintains a model graduation-attire policy, and separate statutory provisions already protect the right of students who are members of federally recognized…