State holidays: Diwali.

Education Labor

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Kalra (A) , Patel
Last action: 2025-10-06
Official status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 358, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide an effective date for AB-268.

State Holiday for Diwali

AB-268 adds Diwali to the list of state holidays, allowing community colleges and public schools to close on this day and giving employees time off with pay.

What This Bill Does

Adds Diwali as a new state holiday.
Allows community colleges and public schools to close on Diwali.
Authorizes certain community college and public school employees to receive time off with pay for Diwali.
Permits public schools and educational institutions to include exercises acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance of Diwali.

Who It Names or Affects

State employees
Community college employees
Public school employees

Terms To Know

Diwali: A major Hindu festival of lights celebrated by millions of people around the world.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify an exact date for Diwali since it varies each year.
Does not provide funding for additional costs related to the new holiday.
Does not affect private sector employees or businesses directly.

Bill History

2025-10-06 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 358, Statutes of 2025.
2025-10-06 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-09-23 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
2025-09-11 California Legislative Information
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 3290.).
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 2796.).
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-06-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-06-13 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on G.O.
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on G.O. and ED.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 1817.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-04-03 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (April 2). Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on G.O.
2025-03-13 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on G.O. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-13 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on G.O. and P. E. & R.
2025-01-18 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 17.
2025-01-17 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 268, Kalra.
State holidays: Diwali.
Existing law designates specific days as holidays in this state. 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. Existing law entitles state employees, with specified exceptions, and authorizes certain community college and public school employees, to be given time off with pay for specified holidays, as specified.
This bill would add “Diwali” to the list of state holidays. The bill would authorize community colleges and public schools to close on “Diwali,” as specified. The bill would authorize state employees to elect to take, and would authorize certain community college and public school employees to be given, time off with pay in
recognition of “Diwali,” as specified. The bill would authorize public schools and educational institutions throughout the state to include exercises acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance of Diwali, as specified.
Existing law adopts state holidays as judicial holidays, with certain exceptions, including Admission Day and Columbus Day.
This bill would add “Diwali” to the list of holidays that are excluded from designation as a judicial holiday.
This bill would make related findings and declarations.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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