Bill > A06237

This bill amends the New York State education law to allow school districts to establish school holidays for specific cultural and religious observances if they have a significant population of students who celebrate these days. The identified holidays include Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (two important Muslim holidays marking the end of Ramadan and the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage, respectively), Diwali (a Hindu festival of lights), Lunar New Year (celebrated in many East Asian cultures), Tihar (a Hindu festival in Nepal), Bandi Chhor Divas (a Sikh holiday commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Singh Ji from imprisonment), and Onam (a harvest festival in Kerala, India). The bill gives local school boards the discretion to designate these days as school holidays based on their student demographics, recognizing the cultural diversity of school communities. The legislation will take effect on July 1st following its passage, allowing school districts to plan accordingly for the upcoming academic year.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6237