Existing law specifies certain days as state holidays, allowing community colleges and public schools to close on those days if agreed upon between the governing board and employees. It includes “Native American Day” on the fourth Friday in September. State employees can take time off with pay for these holidays, with some exceptions.
AB 268 adds “Diwali” to the list of state holidays, permitting community colleges, public schools, and educational institutions to close on the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar of each year, or if already closed, then on an alternative day determined by the governing board. The holiday may be paid if agreed to through collective bargaining.
The bill allows state employees to take paid time off for its observance. However, “Diwali” would not be recognized as a judicial holiday, like existing exceptions like Admission Day and Columbus Day.
The bill also provides that public schools and educational institutions may include exercises, funded through existing resources, acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance of Diwali.
(AB 268 amends Sections 37220.7, 45203, 79020, and 88203 of the Education Code, Section 135 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and Sections 6700, 19853, and 19853.1 of the Government Code.)