The bill amends Section 1-3-8 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to officially designate Juneteenth as a state holiday. The new legal language inserted into the current law includes the addition of "Juneteenth" to the list of state holidays and specifies that state offices shall not close on either Jefferson Davis' birthday or Juneteenth. Furthermore, the bill allows state employees the option to observe either Jefferson Davis' birthday or Juneteenth as a holiday, with each agency required to establish a policy for implementation.

In addition to these changes, the bill removes the requirement for state offices to close on Jefferson Davis' birthday and Juneteenth, thereby allowing for flexibility in holiday observance. The effective date for this act is set for October 1, 2024. Overall, the bill reflects a significant shift in recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday while providing employees with the choice of which holiday to observe.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-3-8, 1-3-8
Engrossed: 1-3-8, 1-3-8