Bill > A00083

This bill establishes St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) as a mandatory school holiday specifically for school districts located in cities with populations of one million or more inhabitants, which in practice means New York City. The bill amends the state education law to require school authorities in these qualified districts to close all public schools on St. Patrick's Day. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that ensures the school district will not be penalized for this holiday when calculating school session days, meaning the St. Patrick's Day closure will be treated as a session day for administrative and funding purposes. The bill will take effect 120 days after becoming law, and state education authorities are authorized to create any necessary rules or regulations to implement the new holiday in advance of the effective date. By specifying "qualified school districts" as those with one million or more inhabitants, the bill deliberately targets New York City's school system, recognizing the significant Irish-American population in the city and the cultural importance of St. Patrick's Day.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A83