A bill that would ban state public schools and universities from using American Indian mascots is progressing through the California state legislature. No other state has ever passed such a measure.

The bill would specifically prohibit the use of nicknames such as Indians, Redskins, Chiefs, Braves, Comanches and Apaches, and it would forbid institutions from using names and mascots deemed "derogatory" or "discriminatory" against any race, ethnicity, nationality or tribe. It also bans the use of "any other American Indian tribal name," thus ruling out names such as Sioux or Seminoles. The bill also includes a provision that, if passed, would permit the California state school board and the California Postsecondary Education Commission to jointly add other mascot names to the prohibited list.

Jackie Goldberg, a Democrat from Los Angeles, is the bill's sponsor.

In her introduction to the bill, Goldberg wrote that many people and organizations believe "the continued use of Native American images and nicknames in school sports is a barrier to equality and understanding" and that "all residents of the United States would benefit from the discontinuance of their use."

The bill would prohibit the purchase of new logos and other materials, such as uniforms, bearing the mascot or team name after January 2003. The bill also would not require schools to replace equipment, logos or stationery until it wears out.

The bill has passed nearly unopposed through two Assembly subcommittees. The state Assembly is expected to vote on the bill before the end of the month and pass it on to the state Senate.

According to Goldberg's office, only one organization has complained about the bill -- the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. That organization's chair, Mike Heffernan, a former high-school football coach, contacted Goldberg to indicate his opposition.

"It is too absolute, too one-sided," Heffernan told The Washington Times. "It doesn't leave room for the good use of mascots and doesn't take into consideration tradition."

Heffernan told the newspaper that he did not support the use of Redskins, but he thought banning tribal names was taking it too far.

"It's basically the central government of the state telling local authorities they can't do it," he said. "That should be left up to the local schools to decide."

A bill to ban Indian mascots in Wisconsin died in that state's legislature last year.