Bill > S08501

This bill amends the New York education law to allow school districts to opt out of observing state-designated cultural or religious holidays when less than ten percent of the school population observes that particular holiday. Under this proposed legislation, if a cultural or religious holiday affects a small minority of students (specifically, less than 10% of the school population), the school district has the option to not officially recognize or observe that holiday. However, the bill also requires that school districts make reasonable accommodations for students who wish to participate in such holidays, even if the district chooses not to observe them district-wide. The bill explicitly states that this opt-out provision does not apply to cultural or religious holidays designated by the federal government, meaning school districts cannot choose to ignore federally recognized holidays. The legislation would take effect immediately upon passage.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8501