A new bill has been filed in the North Carolina General Assembly that would prevent public schools in the state from using American Indian mascots.

Rep. Jarrod Lowery (R-Robeson), who is Lumbee, filed House Bill 655 on Tuesday. The bill, which is titled “Ending Offensive Indian Mascots,” would require the State Board of Education ban public schools from using mascots tied to Native Americans.

The State Advisory Council on Indian Education, which will provide a presentation to the State Board of Education on Wednesday, says 36 North Carolina schools have American Indian-themed nicknames, and that number has remained static since 2017. The council says 34 schools have American Indian-themed logos or mascots.

The council has requested schools move away from these nicknames, mascots, and logos since 2002. At the time, 73 North Carolina schools used American Indian mascots and logos.

“American Indian descriptions naming mascots, logos, and sports team nicknames are detrimental to the self-identity, self-concept, and self-esteem of American Indian students,” the council has stated.

Members of the State Board of Education have supported changes to these mascots in the past.

HB 655 would instruct superintendents of public school districts to their schools that are already using American Indian mascots, logos, and nicknames to adopt non-American Indian replacement within two years.

Schools would be required to begin making changes within one year of notification. If the school does not begin the process within one year, the superintendent would have the authority to choose a new nickname, mascot, and logo for the school.

If after two years no action has been taken, the State Board of Education would be charged with determining whether or not the superintendent willfully failed to comply, and if so, state funds for the superintendent’s salary would be withheld until the changes are made.

The bill, if it becomes law, will be effective at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.