PRINTER'S NO. 346
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 402
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY ROTHMAN, SAVAL, HAYWOOD, COMITTA, SANTARSIERO,
SCHWANK, FARRY, DILLON, CAPPELLETTI, TARTAGLIONE, ROBINSON,
BOSCOLA AND STEFANO, FEBRUARY 21, 2023
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 21, 2023
AN ACT
1 Providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of
2 the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik as
3 "Diwali Day" in this Commonwealth.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Legislative findings.
7 The General Assembly hereby finds and declares as follows:
8 (1) Known as the "Festival of Lights," approximately
9 1,000,000,000 people around the world celebrate Diwali as a
10 day of thanksgiving and reflection.
11 (2) Though it originates from Indian culture and
12 religion, millions of Americans celebrate Diwali each year.
13 (3) The festival lasts five days, with the third day
14 marking the day celebrated as "Diwali."
15 (4) Diwali falls on the 15th of the Hindu lunisolar
16 month of Kartik, which aligns with the new moon day of the
17 first month of the lunar year.
18 (5) Diwali's celebration of light, reflection and
 1 gathering is celebrated by many Pennsylvanians and the
2 festival deserves official recognition.
3 Section 2. Designation.
4 In accordance with the official day recognized by the Indian
5 government, the 15th day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik
6 shall be designated "Diwali Day" in this Commonwealth.
7 Section 3. Construction.
8 Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring an
9 employer to treat Diwali Day as a legal or official holiday or
10 to provide paid leave to an employee on Diwali Day solely by
11 virtue of the date being designated under this act.
12 Section 4. Effective date.
13 This act shall take effect immediately.
20230SB0402PN0346 - 2 -