California Recognizes Eid as State Holidays

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law on September 28, recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays while allowing employees to use existing leave and giving schools the option to close through local agreements. The measure does not create a mandatory statewide day off or guarantee employees additional paid leave. The law applies to state employees, K-12 schools and community colleges. State employees may use existing personal holiday credits or other available leave to observe the festivals. Schools and community colleges may close for Eid through locally negotiated arrangements, but the law does not require them to do so. As a result, whether students receive a day off may depend on local decisions. Assemblymember Matt Haney authored AB 2017. The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which supported the measure, welcomed its passage and said Muslim students and employees have faced difficulties balancing religious observance with school and work obligations. The bill was also cosponsored by the Muslim Impact Council and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.