BILL NUMBER: S7329
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general construction law, in relation to designating
March eighth as a public holiday
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To establish a public holiday that commemorates the achievements of
women through the designation of March eighth as a public holiday, to be
known as Women's Day.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends section 24 of the general construction law to declare
the eighth of March a public holiday, to be known as Women's Day.
Section two establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
International Women's Day is a global day celebrated on March 8th which
honors the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of
women. Celebrated annually since 1911, International Women's Day marks a
call to action for accelerating gender parity and promotes women's
rights. Currently 27 counties have officially adopted Women's Day as a
national holiday, and it is widely observed in several others.
The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention
in the United States leading to the ultimate success of ensuring Ameri-
can women have the right to vote. Given New York State's rich history as
the birthplace of the women's suffrage movement, it is time for New York
to officially recognize International Women's Day.
This legislation will commemorate our state's historic and current lead-
ership in the advancement of women's rights by recognizing March 8th,
International Women's Day, as an official New York State holiday.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022 - A9405 - Died in Governmental Operations
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S7329: 24 general construction law