Pennsylvania HB 1782: An Act providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of September 17 as "Constitution Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2191
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1782
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DIAMOND, SCHMITT, STAATS, PICKETT, REICHARD,
KAUFFMAN, JAMES, BANTA AND KRUPA, AUGUST 4, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, AUGUST 4, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of
September 17 as "Constitution Day" in Pennsylvania.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Constitution Day is a Federal observance recognized
in all 50 states.
(2) The United States Congress designated September 17
as Constitution Day on February 29, 1962, by joint
resolution.
(3) An amendment filed to the Federal omnibus spending
bill of 2004 mandates that all publicly funded educational
institutions and Federal agencies provide educational
programs on the history of the United States Constitution on
that day.
(4) The celebration of Constitution Day allows for the
widespread consideration of events contributing to the
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founding of the United States and provides opportunities for
education on the nation's cultural heritage.
(5) Constitution Day acknowledges the rights, freedoms
and liberties of United States citizens as protected under a
written Constitution.
(6) Publicly funded schools and universities in the
Commonwealth should encourage educational programs
surrounding the history of the United States Constitution on
the day of September 17, or on preceding or following weeks
should the original date fall on a weekend or other observed
holiday.
Section 2. Designation.
In accordance with the official day recognized by the Federal
Government, September 17 shall be designated as "Constitution
Day" in this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Construction.
Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring an
employer to treat Constitution Day as a legal or official
holiday or to provide paid leave to an employee on Constitution
Day solely by virtue of the date being designated under this
act.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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