Bill > H3178

This bill amends the South Carolina Code of Laws to officially establish Juneteenth (June 19th) as a legal state holiday. Specifically, the bill adds Juneteenth to the existing list of state legal holidays, which already includes other significant dates like New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks a significant moment in U.S. history, specifically recognizing the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The bill also includes a standard provision that ensures public colleges and universities can maintain their holiday schedules as long as they do not exceed the number of holidays specified in the law. The new holiday will take effect immediately upon receiving approval from the Governor of South Carolina.