HOUSE BILL 194

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

D. Wonda Johnson and Janelle Anyanonu and Charlotte Little

and Joseph Franklin Hernandez

AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL; PROTECTING THE CULTURAL EXPRESSION OF STUDENTS AT GRADUATION AND PROMOTION CEREMONIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] CULTURAL PROTECTIONS AT GRADUATION AND PROMOTION CEREMONIES.--

          A. A public school, private school or charter school shall not prohibit a student who is enrolled, or eligible for enrollment, in a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo from wearing objects of cultural significance at a graduation or promotion ceremony.

          B. For the purposes of this section, "objects of cultural significance" means items that hold special meaning for federally recognized Indian nations, tribes or pueblos, including tribal regalia, jewelry, moccasins, beaded graduation caps and feathers."

- 2 -