Pennsylvania HB 363: An Act providing for the annual designations and holiday observances of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in this Commonwealth.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 319
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 363
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, FRANKEL, WAXMAN, K.HARRIS, SCHLOSSBERG,
SALISBURY, KAZEEM, SOLOMON, FREEMAN, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS,
GIRAL, HANBIDGE, KENYATTA, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, CARROLL, VENKAT,
FIEDLER, O'MARA, HOHENSTEIN, PROBST, MAYES AND CERRATO,
JANUARY 27, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 27, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for the annual designations and holiday observances of
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in
this Commonwealth.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings.
The General Assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:
(1) Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks the
beginning of the High Holidays and signifies a time for
reflection and celebration.
(2) Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day
in Judaism, representing the apex of the High Holidays
season, and is dedicated to prayer, fasting and
introspection.
(3) Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast,
commemorates the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting for
Muslims, and is celebrated with prayers, feasts and acts of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

charity.
(4) Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is
considered one of holiest holidays in the Islamic calendar
and is similarly celebrated through prayers and acts of
service.
(5) This Commonwealth was founded on the principles of
religious freedom and tolerance, and these holidays,
celebrated by many Pennsylvanians, deserve official
recognition.
Section 2. Designations.
(a) Jewish tradition.--In accordance with longstanding
Jewish tradition:
(1) The secular calendar date coinciding with the first
day of the Hebrew month of Tishri in any given year shall be
designated as the beginning of Rosh Hashanah in this
Commonwealth.
(2) The secular calendar date coinciding with the tenth
day of the Hebrew month of Tishri shall be designated as the
observance of Yom Kippur in this Commonwealth.
(b) Islamic tradition.--In accordance with longstanding
Islamic tradition:
(1) The first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal shall
be designated as the beginning of Eid al-Fitr in this
Commonwealth.
(2) The tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah
shall be designated as the beginning of Eid al-Adha in this
Commonwealth.
Section 3. Construction.
Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring an
employer to treat a day designated under section 2 as a legal or
20250HB0363PN0319 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

official holiday or to provide paid leave to an employee on a
day designated under section 2 solely by virtue of the date
being designated under this act.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
20250HB0363PN0319 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5