California: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation recognising Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha under California state law, allowing eligible public employees to use existing leave to observe the Islamic festivals.
Assembly Bill 2017 (AB 2017), authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, was signed into law on September 28. The Governor's office confirmed the signing in its September 27 legislative update, which lists AB 2017 as the state holidays measure concerning Eid.
Under the legislation, eligible state employees can use personal holiday credits or other available leave to observe Eid without having to take unpaid time off.
The law also provides a framework for K-12 schools and community colleges to close for Eid when such closures are established through locally negotiated agreements.
What the new law means
The measure recognises the two major Islamic festivals:
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
Eid al-Adha, observed during Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Both festivals are traditionally marked by congregational prayers, family gatherings and community celebrations.
Supporters of the legislation said Muslim employees and students have previously faced a choice between observing Eid and attending work or school when the festivals fell on regular working or school days.
Haney said the legislation recognises the presence and traditions of California's Muslim communities.
The bill was co-sponsored by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the Muslim Impact Council and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.
CAIR-CA welcomed the legislation, saying it would provide greater flexibility for Muslim employees and students observing Eid. The organisation's CEO Hussam Ayloush thanked Newsom, Haney and the groups involved in supporting the measure.
The new law does not automatically make Eid a statewide public holiday for all workers. Instead, it provides eligible state and school employees with mechanisms to use existing leave, while school and community-college closures can be arranged locally under the law.
