SB 421
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
Senate Bill 421 (Senator Patterson)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Indigenous Peoples' Day - Rule of Interpretation and Replacement of Columbus
Day
This bill replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The bill also makes
confirming changes.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None. The bill does not substantively change State activities or operations.
Local Effect: Local school systems can devote a part of the school day to appropriate
exercises that relate to Indigenous Peoples’ Day using existing resources. Revenues are not
affected.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: State public schools must devote a part of the day to appropriate exercises
for the following days: Washington’s Birthday; Lincoln’s Birthday; Veterans’ Day;
Columbus Day; Arbor Day; and any other day of national significance. The State
recognizes 11 bank holidays, 16 legal holidays, and 12 State employee holidays, as
identified in Exhibit 1. This includes Columbus Day.
Chapter 486 of 2008 designated the Friday after Thanksgiving as American Indian Heritage
Day and added it to the list of State legal and employee holidays.
 Exhibit 1
Holidays in the State
State
School Bank Legal Employee
Holiday Holiday Holiday Holiday
New Year’s Day X X X X
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday X X X X
February 12 for Lincoln’s Birthday X
Washington’s Birthday* X X X X
March 25 for Maryland Day X
Good Friday X X X
Easter Monday X
Memorial Day X X X X
Independence Day X X X
Labor Day X X X
September 12 for Defenders’ Day X
Columbus Day X X X
General Election Days X X X
Veterans’ Day X X X
Thanksgiving Day X X X X
Day after Thanksgiving Day** X X X
Christmas Day X X X X
*Also known as Presidents’ Day, celebrated on the third Monday of February.
**Also known as American Indian Heritage Day.
Note: Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day are public school holidays, along with primary election
days.
Source: Department of Legislative Services
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HB 895 of 2020 received a hearing in the House Health and
Government Operations Committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: HB 157 (Delegate W. Fisher) - Health and Government
Operations.
SB 421/ Page 2
Information Source(s): Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - March 4, 2021
rh/jc
Analysis by: Thomas S. Elder Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 421/ Page 3


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Indigenous Peoples' Day - Rule of Interpretation and Replacement of Columbus Day: 14-301 Commercial Law, 7-103 Education, 5-705 Education, 1-111 General Provisions, 1-111.1 General Provisions, 9-201 State Personnel and Pensions