BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Gloria Romero, Chair
2009-2010 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 1463
AUTHOR: Smyth
AMENDED: May 6, 2009
FISCAL COMM: No HEARING DATE: July 8, 2009
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT: Nancy Anton
SUBJECT : High School graduation ceremony and military
uniforms
SUMMARY
This bill specifies that a student who has (1) fulfilled
all requirements to graduate from high school, and (2) has
completed the basic training required for and is an active
member of any branch of the US armed forces has the right
to wear their dress uniform while participating in their
graduation ceremony.
BACKGROUND
Current law authorizes school districts to adopt or rescind
a reasonable dress code policy that requires pupils to wear
a schoolwide uniform or prohibits pupils from wearing "gang
related apparel" if the governing board approves a plan, as
specified. A dress code policy that requires pupils to
wear a schoolwide uniform shall not be implemented with
less than six months notice and must provide a method
whereby parents may choose not to have their children
comply. Such a policy shall not preclude pupils that
participate in a nationally recognized youth organization
from wearing organization uniforms on days that the
organization has a scheduled meeting.
ANALYSIS
This bill specifies that a student who has (1) fulfilled
all requirements to graduate from high school, and (2) has
completed the basic training required for and is an active
member of any branch of the US armed forces has the right
to wear their dress uniform while participating in their
graduation ceremony.
AB 1463
Page 2
STAFF COMMENTS
1) Clarifying amendments needed . Information from the
author's office indicates that it is their intent that
the right to wear their military dress uniform be
provided only to students who meet all of the
following:
a) Have fulfilled all of the requirements to
receive a diploma of graduation from high school
pursuant to this code.
b) Have completed basic training and be an
active member of a branch of the United States
Armed Forces.
c) Are otherwise eligible to participate in
their high school graduation ceremony, if any.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the bill be so
amended.
2) Other military service . Is this bill intended to
include students who are members of the California
National Guard, State Military Reserve or the Naval
Militia? Staff recommends that this be clarified.
3) Appropriate Code ? This bill establishes its
provisions as Education Code Section 51413 thereby
locating it in an area of the code relating to
diplomas. Would it make more sense to locate it as
part of Education Code 35183 which relates to dress
codes and school uniforms?
SUPPORT
None received.
OPPOSITION
None received.