SENATE DOCKET, NO. 130        FILED ON: 1/8/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Michael O. Moore

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act designating Diwali Day as a state holiday.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 130        FILED ON: 1/8/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

An Act designating Diwali Day as a state holiday.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after Section 15ZZZZZZ, the following section:- 

Section 15AAAAAAA. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting aside the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik as the official Diwali Day, establishing the day as a state holiday, recommending its observance by the people as a period of special attention in recognition of the Diwali celebration known as the “Festival of Lights”, a five day long festival where the third day is a day of thanksgiving and reflection celebrated worldwide and by millions of Americans.