Existing law designates specific days as holidays in this state. Existing law adopts state holidays as judicial holidays, with certain exceptions, including Admission Day and Columbus Day. Existing law designates holidays on which community colleges and public schools are authorized to close pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the governing board and represented employees, including “Native American Day” on the 4th Friday in September.

This bill would add “Eid al-Fitr” and “Eid al-Adha” to the list of state holidays. The bill would exclude “Eid al-Fitr” and “Eid al-Adha” from designation as judicial holidays. The bill would authorize community colleges and public schools to close on “Eid al-Fitr” and “Eid al-Adha,” as specified.

Existing law, notwithstanding the requirement that each person between 6 and 18 years of age who is not otherwise exempted is subject to compulsory full-time education, requires a pupil to be excused from school for specified types of absences, including, among others, an absence for justifiable personal reasons including, but not limited to, observance of a holiday or ceremony of the pupil’s religion, if the pupil’s absence is requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative, as specified.

Existing law entitles state employees, with specified exceptions, to be given time off with pay for specified holidays. Existing law, in addition, authorizes state employees to elect to use 8 hours of vacation, annual leave, compensating time off, or personal holiday credit corresponding with specified dates.

This bill would, similarly, authorize state employees to elect to use 8 hours of vacation, annual leave, compensating time off, or personal holiday credit corresponding with “Eid al-Fitr” or “Eid al-Adha,” as specified.