HB 93 — An Act providing for the annual designations and holiday observances of Rosh Hashanah Day, Yom Kippur Day, Eid al-Fitr Day and Eid al-Adha Day in this Commonwealth.

PRINTER'S NO.   76

                    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        HOUSE BILL
                        No. 93
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY KHAN, FRANKEL, WAXMAN, K.HARRIS, SCHLOSSBERG,
        SALISBURY, KAZEEM, SOLOMON, FREEMAN, VENKAT, KENYATTA,
        PROBST, HOHENSTEIN, GIRAL, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, CEPEDA-
        FREYTIZ, MALAGARI, DONAHUE, BOROWSKI, FLEMING AND CERRATO,
        JANUARY 14, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 14, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Providing for the annual designations and holiday observances of
 2      Rosh Hashanah Day, Yom Kippur Day, Eid al-Fitr Day and Eid
 3      al-Adha Day in this Commonwealth.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6   Section 1.    Legislative findings.
 7      The General Assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:
 8          (1)    Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks the
 9      beginning of the High Holidays and signifies a time for
10      reflection and celebration.
11          (2)    Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day
12      in Judaism, representing the end of the High Holidays, and is
13      dedicated to prayer, fasting and introspection.
14          (3)    Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast,
15      commemorates the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting for
16      Muslims, and is celebrated with prayers, feasts and acts of
17      charity.
 1            (4)   Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is
 2      considered one of holiest holidays in the Islamic calendar
 3      and is similarly celebrated through prayers and acts of
 4      service.
 5            (5)   This Commonwealth was founded on the principles of
 6      religious freedom and tolerance, and these holidays,
 7      celebrated by many Pennsylvanians, deserve official
 8      recognition.
 9   Section 2.     Designations.
10      (a)   Jewish tradition.--In accordance with longstanding
11   Jewish tradition:
12            (1)   The first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri shall be
13      designated as Rosh Hashanah Day in this Commonwealth.
14            (2)   The tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri shall be
15      designated as Yom Kippur Day in this Commonwealth.
16      (b)   Islamic tradition.--In accordance with longstanding
17   Islamic tradition:
18            (1)   The first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal shall
19      be designated as Eid al-Fitr Day in this Commonwealth.
20            (2)   The tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah
21      shall be designated as Eid al-Adha Day in this Commonwealth.
22   Section 3.     Construction.
23      Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring an
24   employer to treat a day designated under section 2 as a legal or
25   official holiday or to provide paid leave to an employee on a
26   day designated under section 2 solely by virtue of the date
27   being designated under this act.
28   Section 4.     Effective date.
29      This act shall take effect immediately.



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