Native American names, symbols, and images as school mascots, logos, or team names.
RCW 28A.320.296
in effect(1) Except as provided otherwise by this section, beginning January 1, 2022, public schools may not use Native American names, symbols, or images as school mascots, logos, or team names. (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to public schools located within, or with enrollment boundaries that include a portion of, "Indian country," as defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1151, or public schools in a county that contains all or part of a tribal reservation or tribal trust lands, if the tribe or tribes having regulatory jurisdiction over the territory within that boundary have: (a) Been consulted by the appropriate school, district, or both. Consultations under this subsection (2)(a) must include summaries of completed and ongoing district and school actions required by RCW 28A.320.170 ; and (b) Authorized the use of the name, symbol, or image as a mascot, logo, or team name through an appropriate enactment or resolution. (3) A public school may use uniforms or other materials after January 1, 2022, bearing Native American names, symbols, or images as mascots, logos, or team names if the uniforms or materials were purchased before January 1, 2022, and if: (a) The school selects a new mascot, logo, or team name by December 31, 2021, to take effect in the 2021-22 school year; (b) Except as provided otherwise by this subsection (3)(b), the school does not purchase or acquire any uniforms or materials that include the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image. However, a school using the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image may, until January 1, 2023, purchase or acquire a number of uniforms equal to up to twenty percent of the total number of uniforms used by a team, band, or cheer squad at that school during the 2021-22 school year solely to replace damaged or lost uniforms; (c) The school does not purchase, create, or acquire any yearbook, newspaper, program, or other similar material that includes or bears the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image; and (d) The school does not purchase, construct, or acquire a marquee, sign, or other new or replacement fixture that includes or bears the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image. (4) A public school that does not meet the geographic requirements in subsection (2) of this section is exempt from subsection (1) of this section if: (a) The school is located in a county that is adjacent to a county that contains all or part of a tribal reservation or tribal trust lands; and (b) The tribe that is consulted with and determines to authorize the use of the name, symbol, or image as a school mascot, logo, or team name as provided in subsection (2) of this section is the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe.
(1) Except as provided otherwise by this section, beginning January 1, 2022, public schools may not use Native American names, symbols, or images as school mascots, logos, or team names.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to public schools located within, or with enrollment boundaries that include a portion of, "Indian country," as defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1151, or public schools in a county that contains all or part of a tribal reservation or tribal trust lands, if the tribe or tribes having regulatory jurisdiction over the territory within that boundary have:
(a) Been consulted by the appropriate school, district, or both. Consultations under this subsection (2)(a) must include summaries of completed and ongoing district and school actions required by RCW 28A.320.170 ; and
(b) Authorized the use of the name, symbol, or image as a mascot, logo, or team name through an appropriate enactment or resolution.
(3) A public school may use uniforms or other materials after January 1, 2022, bearing Native American names, symbols, or images as mascots, logos, or team names if the uniforms or materials were purchased before January 1, 2022, and if:
(a) The school selects a new mascot, logo, or team name by December 31, 2021, to take effect in the 2021-22 school year;
(b) Except as provided otherwise by this subsection (3)(b), the school does not purchase or acquire any uniforms or materials that include the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image. However, a school using the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image may, until January 1, 2023, purchase or acquire a number of uniforms equal to up to twenty percent of the total number of uniforms used by a team, band, or cheer squad at that school during the 2021-22 school year solely to replace damaged or lost uniforms;
(c) The school does not purchase, create, or acquire any yearbook, newspaper, program, or other similar material that includes or bears the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image; and
(d) The school does not purchase, construct, or acquire a marquee, sign, or other new or replacement fixture that includes or bears the discontinued Native American name, symbol, or image.
(4) A public school that does not meet the geographic requirements in subsection (2) of this section is exempt from subsection (1) of this section if:
(a) The school is located in a county that is adjacent to a county that contains all or part of a tribal reservation or tribal trust lands; and
(b) The tribe that is consulted with and determines to authorize the use of the name, symbol, or image as a school mascot, logo, or team name as provided in subsection (2) of this section is the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.320&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026