What's happening
This bill designates Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr as public school holidays in New York City and adjusts related attendance calculations.
Why it matters
Expands recognition of religious diversity. By mandating public school closures for Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr, the law formally acknowledges significant Muslim religious observances, fostering greater inclusivity for Muslim students and families in New York City.
Ensures no penalty to schools or students. The bill directs that these holidays will not negatively impact attendance or session day counts for state funding or compliance, protecting schools from financial or regulatory consequences for observing these holidays.
Sets a precedent for religious accommodation. The bill could influence future policy discussions about recognizing other religious or cultural observances as official school holidays, potentially broadening accommodation for diverse communities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make Eid School Holidays
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Make Eid School Holidays
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Michael G. Miller
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
346
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PERALTA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing Eid-al- Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr as school holidays
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3204-a to read as follows:
§3204-a. Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr school holidays. 1. The days of the Islamic lunar calendar designated to begin on the tenth day of the month of Dhul Hijja and commonly known as "Eid-al-Adha", and the first day of Shawwai known as Eid-Al-Fitr shall be school holidays for all public schools in a city school district of a city having a population of one million or more.
2. The school authorities of every public school in a city school district of a city having a population of one million or more are hereby authorized and directed to cause all public schools within such district to be closed on Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr.
§ 2. Section 3604 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7-c to read as follows:
7-c. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of any calculation under subdivision seven or eight of this section, the commissioner shall disregard any reduction resulting from observance of Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr and, if necessary, such observed holidays shall be calculated as a session day.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that any and all rules and regulations and any other measures necessary to implement any provision of this act on its effective date may be promulgated and taken, respectively, on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00159-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr as school holidays
Purpose or general idea of bill
To establish Eid-al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday as a school holiday.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3204-a to read as follows: 3 § 3204-a. Eid-al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday. The days of the Islamic lunar calendar designated to begin on the tenth day of the month of Dhul Hijja and commonly known as "EidUlAdha" shall be a school holiday for all public schools in a city school district of a city having a population of one million or more.
2. The school authorities of every public school in a city school district of a city having a population of one million or more are hereby authorized and directed to cause all public schools within such district to be closed on Eid-al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.
§ 2. Section 3604 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7-c to read as follows: 7-c. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of any calculation under subdivision seven or eight of this section, the commissioner shall disregard any reduction resulting from observance of Eid-al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, if necessary, such observed holiday shall be calculated as a session day.
Justification
NYC Public School calendar recognizes various inter-faith/ religious holidays by closing for business. Muslims celebrate two holidays in a year and these holidays should be recognized by our public school system. Muslims represent a growing population in NYC region and Eid-al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr should be recognized as an approved holidays.
Prior legislative history
2015-2016 - S4333
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that any and all rules and regulations and any other measures necessary to implement any provision of this act on its effective date may be promulgated and taken, respectively, on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.