The bill establishes a new holiday known as "Trick-or-Treat Day," which will be celebrated on the last Saturday in October or the last Friday in October, depending on local authorization due to inclement weather. This initiative aims to alleviate the negative impacts associated with Halloween falling on a school day, such as learning loss and absenteeism. The legislature believes that moving the celebration to the weekend prior to November 1st will enhance family participation and public safety by allowing children to trick-or-treat earlier in the day and reducing traffic-related accidents.

To implement this change, the bill amends RCW 1.16.050, which outlines state legal holidays. The new legal language includes the addition of Trick-or-Treat Day as a recognized holiday, while maintaining the existing structure of state holidays. This amendment reflects the legislature's commitment to preserving the tradition of Halloween while addressing the challenges it poses for families and communities during the school week.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 1.16.050