BILL NUMBER: S1065A
SPONSOR: SERRANO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing Three
King's day as a school holiday for all public schools in a city having a
population of one million or more inhabitants
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To declare Three Kings Day to be a holiday for all public schools in New
York City
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The 6th of January is made and declared to be a holiday for all public
schools in a qualified school district
-A qualified school district shall be in a city having a population of
one million or more inhabitants
-Schools in a qualified school district are authorized to close on Three
Kings Day
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christ-
mas. It is a significant religious holiday celebrated throughout Latin
America, Spain, as well as Hispanic communities in the United States.
Three Kings Day is a Christian feast that celebrates the revelation of
God incarnate as Jesus Christ. For many cultures, Three Kings Day is one
of the most important holidays of the year.
Celebrations are held throughout New York City and are hosted by various
organizations. The East Harlem community hosts one of the biggest
parades in the city, with more than five thousand people in attendance.
While Three Kings Day is celebrated by many people throughout New York
City, public schools do not close for that day. Other states such as
Connecticut have closed their schools in New Haven and Hartford in
observance of Three Kings Day.
This legislation will ensure that children will be able to observe the
holiday with their families. Considering the importance of this reli-
gious holiday, along with the large number of people who celebrate it,
public schools should be closed for the observance of this special holi-
day.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2022: S255 -Referred to New York City Education
2021-2022: S1356- Referred to Education
2019-2020: S184 -Referred to Education
2017-2018: S3929- Referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 120 days after it shall have become a law

Statutes affected:
S1065: 3604 education law