Pupil rights: school graduation ceremonies and related events: adornments.

Assembly Member Ramos's legislation expands California students' rights to wear traditional tribal regalia and religious or cultural adornments at graduation ceremonies and related school events, with the definition of appropriate items to be determined by pupils and their families. The measure modifies current Education Code provisions that limit such expressions to graduation ceremonies only.

The bill prohibits local educational agencies from requiring students to obtain pre-approval for wearing cultural or religious adornments. It also removes the requirement that students wear graduation caps when those items would conflict with their chosen cultural or religious expression. While schools retain authority to prohibit items that would substantially disrupt ceremonies, the legislation redefines "adornment" to include items worn in place of, rather than just in addition to, traditional graduation attire.

Under the measure's provisions, "cultural" refers to recognized practices and traditions of specific groups, and local educational agencies encompass school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools. The bill maintains existing protections allowing schools to prevent substantial disruption of ceremonies while eliminating administrative barriers to students' cultural and religious expression during graduation-related events.