Assembly passes bill regulating Native American references

Schools in the state that do not drop Native American logos or mascots that the state superintendent deems discriminatory could be fined thousands of dollars under a bill approved Thursday by the state Assembly.

The bill allows district residents to file a complaint with the state about school logos, names or mascots. If the state superintendent deems the logo, name or mascot promotes discrimination, the school district must stop using it.

In the area, the bill could apply to the Cornell Chiefs and Lake Holcombe Chieftains.

Many schools in the state have been changing or moving away from potentially controversial logos, names and mascots.