GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2023

SESSION LAW 2023-43

HOUSE BILL 166

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.

"Student Prayer and Religious Activity.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, Student Prayer and Religious Activity.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 12^th day of June, 2023.

                                                                    s/  Phil Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Erin Paré

                                                                         Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Approved 1:40 p.m. this 14^th day of June, 2023