Bill

Bill > A3361


NJ A3361

NJ A3361
Authorizes State employees to take administrative leave days in observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; requires school districts to permit students excused absences for observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides that full-time State employees would be able to be absent from work for the purposes of observing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, without that absence counting toward their administrative leave allotment. The bill also explicitly requires that a student's absence from school due to the observance of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha will be an excused absence for the purposes of recording attendance. Muslims celebrate two main holidays every lunar year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr, which means "festival of the breaking of the fast," is celebrated first at the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims in the United States observe this month of sacrifice and contemplation by fasting, reading the Holy Quran, and participating in charity work, worship, and emphasizing self-discipline. Eid al-Adha, the "feast of the sacrifice," is celebrated two months later and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. Eid al-Adha is the more sacred of the two Eids, and often coincides with the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage, an annual Islamic pilgrimage in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Under the bill, one additional day of administrative leave per calendar year would be granted to an employee if that employee is absent from work in observance of Eid al-Fitr. Similarly, one additional day of administrative leave per calendar year would be granted to an employee if that employee is absent from work in observance of or Eid al-Adha. This bill would require a school district to record an excused absence for a student who is absent from school due to the observance of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. The bill also provides that a student absence because of the observance of Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha would not be included on any transcript or application or employment form or any similar form on which information concerning a pupil's attendance record is requested. Further, if the student presents a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian, the bill provides that a student absent from school because of the observance of the two holidays would: (1) not be deprived of any award or eligibility or opportunity to compete for any award due to the absence; and (2) would be given the opportunity to take an alternate test or examination if they miss a test or examination due to the absence from school.

AI Summary

This bill grants full-time state employees an additional day of administrative leave per calendar year for observing Eid al-Fitr and another additional day for observing Eid al-Adha, which are two important Islamic holidays, without these days counting against their regular administrative leave allotment. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and reflection for Muslims, and is known as the "festival of breaking the fast," while Eid al-Adha, the "feast of the sacrifice," commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son and is considered the more sacred of the two holidays. Furthermore, the bill mandates that school districts must excuse student absences for observing these two holidays, ensuring that such absences do not negatively impact a student's attendance record, eligibility for awards, or the opportunity to take missed tests or exams, provided a written excuse from a parent or guardian is submitted.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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