AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 23, 2025

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

96

CHAPTER 133

Statutes of 2025

[ Approved by Governor September 26, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State September 26, 2025. ]

Introduced by Assembly Member Ramos

February 21, 2025

An act to amend Section 35183.1 of the Education Code, relating to pupil rights.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: no   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law authorizes a pupil to wear traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies. Existing law prohibits that authorization from limiting a local educational agency’s discretion and authority to prohibit an item that is likely to cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the ceremony. Existing law defines “adornment” for these purposes as something attached to or worn with, but not replacing, the cap and gown customarily worn at school graduation ceremonies.

This bill would extend a pupil’s authorization to wear an adornment to school events that are related to graduation. The bill would clarify that what constitutes traditional regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance is to be determined by the pupil and the pupil’s family. The bill would prohibit a local educational agency from requiring (1) a preapproval process for a pupil to exercise their rights to wear an adornment and (2) a pupil to wear a cap if the cap is incompatible with the adornment. The bill would revise the definition of “adornment” as it relates to a cap customarily worn at school graduation ceremonies to instead mean something attached to, worn with, or worn in place of, the cap.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 35183.1 of the Education Code is amended to read:

35183.1.

(a) A pupil may wear traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance, as determined by the pupil and the pupil’s family, as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies or related school events.

(b) A local educational agency shall not require either of the following:

(1) A preapproval process for a pupil to exercise the pupil’s rights pursuant to subdivision (a).

(2) A pupil to wear a cap if the cap is incompatible with the adornment.

(c) This section does not limit a local educational agency’s discretion and authority to prohibit an item that is likely to cause a substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the ceremony.

(d) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Adornment” means either of the following:

(A) Something attached to, worn with, or worn in place of, the cap customarily worn at school graduation ceremonies.

(B) Something attached to or worn with, but not replacing, the gown customarily worn at school graduation ceremonies.

(2) “Cultural” means recognized practices and traditions of a certain group of people.

(3) “Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school.