AB 2017: State holidays: Eid.

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 pupils religion, if the pupils absence is requested in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated representative, as specified.

This bill would add an absence for purposes of observing Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha to the list of required excused absences. To the extent the bill would impose additional duties on school officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

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.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.