Senate approves bill letting qualifying students wear tribal regalia at graduation

The Senate passed a bill to allow qualifying students to wear tribal regalia at high-school graduation ceremonies.

Senator Iwamoto, sponsor of House Bill 30, told the Senate the measure honors students’ cultural backgrounds and was developed in consultation with tribal leaders and the Native American legislative liaison committee. "Basically, this bill allows for someone who qualifies to be able to wear regalia when they graduate from high school," Iwamoto said on the floor.

Senator Hinkins, who chairs the Native American Liaison Committee, said testimony in the interim showed the policy matters deeply to students and families. "It really means a lot to them and to their families and to their native American bridal members and all that sort of stuff. I fully endorse this bill," Hinkins said.

The bill was unanimously supported in committee and the Senate moved HB30 to third reading and then approved it by roll-call. The measure will proceed through normal legislative channels. Supporters said the change aligns Utah with other states that allow tribal regalia at graduation and aims to respect tribal cultural and spiritual practices.

Next steps: the bill will be considered by the House or continue through the legislative process per standard procedure.