BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1463
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1463 (Smyth)
As Amended July 15, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(May 18, 2009) |SENATE: |35-0 |(August 17, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: ED.
SUMMARY : Allows a pupil who has fulfilled all high school
graduation requirements and is an active member of any branch of
the United States Armed Forces to wear his or her dress uniform
in his or her graduation ceremony.
The Senate amendments clarify that a pupil may only wear his or
her United States Armed Forces uniform in his or her graduation
ceremony only if he or she is otherwise eligible to participate
in the ceremony. A technical amendment would add this provision
to Education Code Section 35183 relating to dress code, rather
than Education Code Section 51413 relating to diplomas.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes minimum high school graduation requirements for
pupils in grades 9-12, inclusive.
2)Authorizes school districts to adopt or rescind a reasonable
dress code policy if the governing board approves a plan, as
specified.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : 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
principal later changed his ruling and the school district
AB 1463
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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: 0002000