HB 24-1323

HB 24-1323, also known as the School Graduation Attire bill, allows students in preschools, public schools, and colleges or universities in Colorado to wear cultural or religious items during graduation ceremonies, as long as these items follow the school’s dress code. Schools can still restrict certain adornments if they might disrupt the ceremony, but only when absolutely necessary. The law requires educational institutions to create policies for this by the start of the 2024-25 school year. This bill was signed into law on June 5, 2024 and is now in effect.

Official Summary

The act allows a preschool, public school, or public college or university student to wear objects of cultural or religious significance as an adornment at a graduation ceremony. The act prohibits a preschool, public school, or public college or university from restricting what a student may wear under the student's required graduation attire as long as the adornment complies with the preschool's, public school's, or public college's or university's dress code policy. The act allows a preschool, public school, or public college or university to prohibit a student from wearing or displaying an adornment 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 act requires a preschool, public school, and public college or university to develop and adopt a policy that aligns with the requirements of the act. APPROVED by Governor June 5, 2024 EFFECTIVE June 5, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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