What's happening
This bill designates Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr as official school holidays for all New York public schools.
Why it matters
Expands Cultural Inclusion. Mandating school closures for Eid-al-Adha and Eid-Al-Fitr acknowledges and respects the religious practices of Muslim students and staff, promoting a more inclusive environment within New York’s public schools.
Ensures Equity in Attendance and Academics. By officially closing schools for these holidays, Muslim students and staff are not forced to choose between their faith and school attendance, reducing the risk of absenteeism or missed instruction.
Protects School Funding and Compliance. The bill explicitly states that school closures for these holidays will not negatively impact state aid calculations or the required number of instructional days, ensuring districts do not face financial or regulatory penalties for observing these holidays.
Sets a Precedent for Religious Recognition. This change could encourage broader discussions and future policies regarding the recognition of other religious or cultural observances in public institutions, reflecting the growing diversity of New York’s population.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Eid Holidays to Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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
4619
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 22, 2017
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- 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.
2. The school authorities of every public school are hereby authorized and directed to cause all public schools within such districts 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.
LBD03103-01-7
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
To establish Eid-al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday as a school holiday.
Summary of 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 "Eid-U1-Adha" 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 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-b to read as follows: 7-b. 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 interfaith/ 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-a-lAdha and Eid alFitr should be recognized as an approved holidays.
Legislative history
2015-16: A.2731
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
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.