Assigned to ED                                                                                                                       FOR COMMITTEE

 


 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2705

 

schools; dress codes; graduation ceremonies

Purpose

An emergency measure that allows a student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or is eligible for membership to wear traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at a graduation ceremony.

Background

            A school district governing board (governing board) prescribes curricula including academic standards as determined by the State Board of Education for the graduation of students from high school. Governing boards must also prescribe criteria that include academic standards in at least reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, as determined by district assessment. Other criteria may include additional measures of academic achievement and attendance (A.R.S. § 15-701.01).

            Statute directs a governing board to consider the cultural traditions of pupils when enforcing rules regarding a pupil's participation in extracurricular school activities. If the district rules regulating participation in an extracurricular program prohibit a pupil from participating because of a pupil's cultural traditions, the governing board can adopt alternative rules which would allow that pupil to participate but also consider the health or safety of the pupil or any other person participating in the activities (A.R.S. § 15-347).

A governing board, charter school or an interscholastic athletic association, of which a governing board or charter school is a member, may not prohibit a pupil from wearing a religious or cultural accessory or hairpiece while participating in an extracurricular or athletic activity if the accessory or hairpiece does not jeopardize the health or safety of the pupil or any other person participating in the activity (A.R.S. § 15-347).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Prohibits a governing board, a charter school governing body or any public school from restricting a student, who is a member or is eligible to become a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at a graduation ceremony.

 

2.   Specifies objects of cultural significance and traditional tribal regalia include an eagle feather or eagle plume.

3.   Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.

House Action

ED                   2/2/21        DP       10-0-0-0

3rd Read          2/11/21                  57-2-1

 

Prepared by Senate Research

February 26, 2021

JO/gs