Senate Bill No. 1228 proposes the establishment of Indigenous Peoples' Day as a legal state holiday in Connecticut, 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 negligible, as it does not specify a date for Indigenous Peoples' Day, which typically would incur costs associated with establishing a new holiday. Generally, new state holidays can lead to significant costs for the state and municipalities, but in this case, the lack of a defined date means there are no anticipated financial implications. The bill also highlights that the establishment of this holiday may require negotiations with public employee collective bargaining units regarding paid time off for state employees, as mandated by the State Personnel Act.

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