Bill > S04670

This bill amends the New York State education law to allow school districts to designate certain cultural and religious holidays as official school holidays when they have a significant population of students who observe those days. Specifically, the bill enables school boards or trustees to recognize Eid al-Fitr (a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan), Eid al-Adha (another important Muslim holiday commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son), Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights), Lunar New Year (celebrated in many Asian cultures), Tihar (a Hindu festival in Nepal), Bandi Chhor Divas (a Sikh holiday commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Singh Ji from prison), and Onam (a harvest festival in Kerala, India) as potential school holidays. The determination of whether to make these holidays official days off will be made at the local school district level, based on the demographic composition of the student population. The bill will take effect on the first of July following its passage into law, providing school districts with flexibility to recognize and respect the cultural and religious diversity of their students.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4670