The bill establishes the last full calendar week in July as "African diaspora heritage week" in Washington State, aiming to recognize and celebrate the contributions and cultural heritage of people of African descent. It emphasizes the importance of commemorating their independence days, holidays, cultural food, festivals, and community needs. The week is intended to serve as an educational experience for all Washingtonians and to foster connections within the diaspora, particularly between the elderly and youth.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 1.16.050 to include this new holiday designation. Specifically, it adds the last full calendar week of July to the list of recognized days, which includes various state legal holidays. This insertion acknowledges the significance of African diaspora heritage week while maintaining the existing structure of legal holidays in the state.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 1.16.050