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.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of June, 2023.

	s/	 Phil Berger
	 President Pro Tempore of the Senate

	s/	 Erin Paré
	 Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives

	_____________________________________
		 Roy Cooper
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2023