HB24-1323: Wearing Cultural or Religious Objects at Graduation Ceremonies

• Students at public school graduations (kindergarten through high school) may wear recognized cultural or religious objects as adornments that do not replace or fully cover graduation attire, including decorated graduation caps.

• Schools cannot impose dress code restrictions that infringe upon a student's gender expression, gender identity, religion, or culture, though they may prohibit adornments likely to cause substantial disruption based on evidence rather than generalized fear.

• Public schools, charter schools, and boards of cooperative services must develop and adopt compliant policies by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

• The same requirements apply to public institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) and public preschool providers, with preschools required to adopt policies by August 1, 2024.

• These provisions do not limit the rights of individuals to wear tribal regalia as defined in existing Colorado law.