Senate Bill No. 1228 proposes to establish Indigenous Peoples' Day as a new legal holiday in the state, effective July 1, 2025. The bill amends Section 1-4 of the general statutes by repealing the existing language and substituting it with new provisions that include Indigenous Peoples' Day among the recognized legal holidays. The specific date for this holiday has not been determined, but it will be recognized alongside other holidays such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Veterans' Day. The bill also maintains the existing provisions regarding school closures on legal holidays, allowing local and regional boards of education to decide whether to close schools or hold educational programs in observance of the holiday.

The fiscal impact of the bill is noted to be minimal, as it does not specify a date for Indigenous Peoples' Day, which typically would incur costs associated with establishing a new state holiday. The bill does not create any additional financial burden on the state or municipalities, as there are no specific costs outlined for the observance of this holiday. However, it is acknowledged that if the holiday were to be recognized on a specific date, it could lead to potential costs related to employee time off and overtime pay for essential workers. Overall, the bill aims to honor Indigenous peoples and their contributions while integrating this recognition into the state's legal holiday framework.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-4
GAE Joint Favorable: 1-4
File No. 127: 1-4