A bill permitting an individual to wear tribal regalia at some events took a turn aimed solely at schools on Tuesday (2/13).

 

House members passed an amended version of House Bill 1252, which Prohibits certain government entities from prohibiting any person from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at a school honoring or graduation ceremony, on a 63-2 vote.

 

ASBSD is opposed to the bill; the Association was initially monitoring the bill.

 

HB 1252 initially called for individuals to be allowed to wear tribal regalia at any award ceremony, graduation ceremony, or a meeting of a governing body. However, Rep. Shawn Bordeaux, the bill’s prime sponsor, elected to amend the language on the House floor to focus strictly on school events.

 

HB 1252 passed the House Judiciary committee on February 7 following discussion by committee members that included some apprehension on permitting tribal regalia – described during the hearing by Rep. Bordeaux as “encouragement” and “an esteem builder” for all individuals choosing to wear the regalia – to be worn at other events beyond graduation ceremonies.

 

On the House floor, Rep. Bordeaux said the amended version of the bill is written “to just focus on graduation ceremonies” as districts were “actively suppressing” these expressions.

 

Rep. Bordeaux added the bill would “decrease needless government regulation” and is a “good bill for bringing about relations.”

 

The bill now heads to the Senate for review.

 

For updates on HB 1252, check the ASBSD Blog, Bill Tracker page and Twitter feed.