A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to allow american indian students to wear cultural objects at public school graduation ceremonies.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The title of Article 29D of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 29D.
"Religious Activity and Cultural Expression."
SECTION 2.  Article 29D of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115C‑407.40.  Cultural expression at graduation ceremonies.
A student that is, or is eligible to be, enrolled as a member of a State or federally recognized Indian Tribe shall be allowed to wear objects of cultural significance as part of the student's regalia at any graduation ceremony for a school within a public school unit in which the student is a graduating participant. For purposes of this section, objects of cultural significance are defined as bird feathers and plumes."
SECTION 3.(a)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(k)	Cultural Expression at Graduation Ceremonies. – A charter school shall comply with G.S. 115C‑407.40 at all graduation ceremonies."
SECTION 3.(b)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(19)	Cultural expression at graduation ceremonies. – A regional school shall comply with G.S. 115C‑407.40 at all graduation ceremonies."
SECTION 3.(c)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(22)	Cultural expression at graduation ceremonies. – A laboratory school shall comply with G.S. 115C‑407.40 at all graduation ceremonies."
SECTION 3.(d)  Section 6(d)(22) of S.L. 2018‑32 reads as rewritten:
"(22)	Article 29D, Religious Activity and Cultural Expression."
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.