HB1393 • 2026

Commencement/cultural exp.

Providing public school students with opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative McEntire, Representative Morgan, Representative Stonier, Representative Simmons, Representative Thai, Representative Bergquist, Representative Taylor, Representative Springer, Representative Wylie, Representative Pollet, Representative Ormsby, Representative Hill, Representative Santos
Last action: 2025-04-21
Official status: C 88 L 25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Commencement/cultural exp.

What This Bill Does

Commencement/cultural exp.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

1393 AMH DONA MORD 009

76 • Donaghy

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1393 AMH DONA MORD 009 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Permits students to wear more than one item or object with or attached to their gown if they are traditionally worn or used together.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1393 AMH DONA MORD 009 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Permits students to wear more than one item or object with or attached to their gown if they are traditionally worn or used together.
Makes a technical correction to make the references to "items or objects" consistent.
1393 AMH DONA MORD 009 HB 1393 - H AMD 76 By Representative Donaghy ADOPTED 03/04/2025 On page 1, at the beginning of line 16, after "of" strike "an item or object" and insert "items or objects" On page 2, line 3, after "wear" strike "one" and insert "an" On page 2, line 6, after "events." insert "For the purposes of this section, "an item or object of cultural significance" may include multiple items or objects if they are traditionally worn or used together." On page 2, line 15, after "prohibit" strike "an item that is" and insert "items or objects that are" --- END

Bill History

2025-04-21 House
Effective date 7/27/2025.

Official Summary Text

Commencement/cultural exp.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

AN ACT Relating to providing public school students with 1
opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies; 2
adding a new section to chapter 28A.600 RCW; and creating a new 3
section. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that high 6
school graduation is a significant milestone in a young person's life 7
representing years of academic and personal growth made possible 8
through hard work, perseverance, and the support of family, friends, 9
and teachers.10
In acknowledgment of students' accomplishments, and the 11
identities and traditions informing their success, the legislature 12
intends to provide public school students with the opportunity to 13
express their cultural heritage at high school commencements and 14
other official graduation ceremonies and events through the wearing 15
of an item or object of cultural significance. The legislature 16
intends also for this policy to bring parity to all cultural groups 17
by allowing them to express cultural pride at commencements and other 18
official graduation ceremonies and events. 19
H-0583.1
HOUSE BILL 1393
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives McEntire, Morgan, Stonier, Simmons, Thai,
Bergquist, Taylor, Springer, Wylie, Pollet, Ormsby, Hill, and Santos
Read first time 01/20/25. Referred to Committee on Education.
p. 1 HB 1393
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.600 1
RCW to read as follows: 2
(1) School districts shall permit students to wear one item or 3
object of cultural significance with or attached to their gown at 4
high school commencements and other official graduation ceremonies 5
and events. Items or objects worn in accordance with this section 6
must be befitting of the ceremony or event and adhere to applicable 7
decorum requirements of the school district. 8
(2) This section governs school operation and management under 9
RCW 28A.710.040 and 28A.715.020 and applies to charter schools 10
established under chapter 28A.710 RCW and state-tribal education 11
compact schools subject to chapter 28A.715 RCW to the same extent as 12
it applies to school districts. 13
(3) Nothing in this section limits the discretion and authority 14
of a school district to prohibit an item that is likely to cause a 15
substantial disruption of, or material interference with, a high 16
school commencement or other official graduation ceremony or event.17
(4) Nothing in this section modifies or otherwise effects RCW 18
28A.600.500. 19
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1393