BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1463
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1463 (Smyth)
As Amended May 6, 2009
Majority vote
EDUCATION 11-0
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|Ayes:|Brownley, Nestande, | | |
| |Ammiano, Arambula, | | |
| |Buchanan, Carter, Eng, | | |
| |Garrick, Miller, Solorio, | | |
| |Torlakson | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Allows a pupil who has fulfilled all high school
graduation requirements, has completed basic training, and is an
active member of any branch of the United States military to
wear his or her dress uniform in his or her graduation ceremony.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes minimum high school graduation requirements for
pupils in grades 9-12, inclusive.
2)Requires pupils to successfully pass the high school exit exam
as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : Current Education Code makes no reference to
graduation dress requirements. Such decisions are controlled
locally and can vary from district to district, and even from
school to school within the same district. Traditional dress
for high school graduation is a cap and gown that represents
school colors.
According to the author, this bill was motivated by a student
who completed his graduation requirements early and left to
complete basic training for the United States Marine Corps
before his high school graduation ceremony date. When he asked
if he could wear his military dress uniform to the ceremony, the
principal of the high school denied his request. While the
AB 1463
Page 2
principal later changed his ruling and the school district
amended its graduation dress policy to grant his request, there
is no protection in place for similarly situated students across
the state. This bill would grant students the right to wear
their military dress uniform and supersede any local policies by
school districts and administrators of what constitutes
appropriate ceremonial dress. The author believes that this
bill will show gratitude to the dedicated students who have
graduated early and chosen to serve their country in the
military.
Analysis Prepared by : Irene Ho / ED. / (916) 319-2087
FN: 0000566