HB 24-1070

House Bill 24-1070, which has been signed into law, allows students in preschools, public schools, and public colleges or universities in Colorado to wear religious or cultural items during graduation ceremonies. Schools are not allowed to restrict what a student can wear under their required graduation attire, but they can prohibit items that might disrupt the ceremony if there's no other way to prevent such disruptions. Before the start of the 2024-25 school year, these institutions must create policies aligning with this new law. This means students will now have more freedom to express their cultural and religious identities during graduation events.

Official Summary

The bill allows a preschool, public school, or public college or university student to wear and display religious or cultural regalia at a graduation ceremony. The bill prohibits a preschool, school, or public college or university from restricting what a student may wear under the student's required graduation attire. The bill allows a preschool, school, or public college or university to prohibit a student from wearing or displaying an item that is likely to cause substantial disruption of, or material interference with, a graduation ceremony, but the prohibition must be the least restrictive means necessary to accomplish a specifically identified important government interest. Prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, the bill requires a preschool, school, and public college or university to develop and adopt a policy that aligns with the requirements of this bill. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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