Sponsored by:
Senator MICHAEL J. DOHERTY
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Requires school district to allow graduating student to wear military sash while participating in high school graduation ceremony.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning high school graduation ceremonies and amending P.L.2017, c.84.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2017, c.84 (C.18A:7C-5.3) is amended to read as follows:
1. A school district shall allow a student to wear a dress uniform, or a military sash or stole, issued to the student by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the student's high school graduation ceremony, if the following requirements are met:
a. the student has fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony; and
b. in the case of a student wearing a dress uniform, the student has completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.84, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, school districts are required to allow a student to wear a military dress uniform issued by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the student's high school graduation ceremony if the student has:
1. fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony; and
2. completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces.
This bill amends the law to also require school districts to allow graduating students to wear a military sash or stole issued to the student by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in their high school graduation ceremony if they have fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and are otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony.
A military sash or stole is worn atop a graduation robe and is issued by a recruiter of the graduate's service branch upon enlistment.