Bill Text: NJ A1217 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [A1217 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A1217-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act establishing Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State and amending P.L.2008, c.89 and R.S.36:1-1.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 25 of P.L.2008, c.89 (C.11A:6-24.1) is amended to read as follows:
25. a. Paid holidays granted to all State government employees each calendar year shall be limited to the following:
(1) January 1, known as New Year's Day;
(2) the third Monday in January, known as Martin Luther King's Birthday;
(3) the third Monday in February, known as Washington's Birthday, which shall be known and celebrated as Presidents Day in this State;
(4) the day designated and known as Good Friday;
(5) the day designated and known as Vaisakhi;
[(5)] (6) the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day;
[(6)] (7) the third Friday in June, Juneteenth Day;
[(7)] (8) July 4, known as Independence Day;
[(8)] (9) the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day;
[(9)] (10) the second Monday in October, known as Columbus Day;
[(10)] (11) the day designated and known as Bandi Chhor Divas;
[(11)] (12) November 11, known as Armistice Day or Veterans' Day;
[(12)] (13) the fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day;
[(13)] (14) December 25, known as Christmas Day; and
[(14)] (15) any general election day in this State.
b. The provisions of this section shall not impair any collective bargaining agreement or contract in effect on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.89. The provision of this section shall take effect in the calendar year following the expiration of the collective bargaining agreements or contracts covering a majority of the Executive Branch employees in effect on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.89.
(cf: P.L.2020, c.76, s.1)
2. R.S.36:1-1 is amended to read as follows:
36:1-1. a. The following days in each year shall, for all purposes whatsoever as regards the presenting for payment or acceptance, and of the protesting and giving notice of dishonor, of bills of exchange, bank checks and promissory notes be treated and considered as the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, and as public holidays, except as provided under subsection d. of this section: January 1, known as New Year's Day; the third Monday in January, known as Martin Luther King's Birthday; February 12, known as Lincoln's Birthday; the third Monday in February, known as Washington's Birthday; the day designated and known as Good Friday; the day designated and known as Vaisakhi; the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day; the third Friday in June, Juneteenth Day; July 4, known as Independence Day; the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day; the second Monday in October, known as Columbus Day; the day designated and known as Bandi Chhor Divas; November 11, known as Armistice Day or Veterans' Day; the fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day; December 25, known as Christmas Day; any general election day in this State; every Saturday; and any day heretofore or hereafter appointed, ordered or recommended by the Governor of this State, or the President of the United States, as a day of fasting and prayer, or other religious observance, or as a bank holiday or holidays. All such bills, checks and notes, otherwise presentable for acceptance or payment on any of the days herein enumerated, shall be deemed to be payable and be presentable for acceptance or payment on the secular or business day next succeeding any such holiday.
b. Whenever any of the days herein enumerated can and shall fall on a Sunday, the Monday next following shall, for any of the purposes herein enumerated be deemed a public holiday, except as provided under subsection d. of this section; and bills of exchange, checks and promissory notes which otherwise would be presentable for acceptance or payment on such Monday shall be deemed to be presentable for acceptance or payment on the secular or business day next succeeding such holiday.
c. In construing this section, every Saturday shall, until 12 o'clock noon, be deemed a secular or business day, except as is hereinbefore provided in regard to bills of exchange, bank checks and promissory notes, and the days herein enumerated except bank holidays and Saturdays shall be considered as the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, and public holidays, for all purposes whatsoever as regards the transaction of business in the public offices of this State, or counties of this State, except as provided under subsection d. of this section; but on all other days or half days, except Sunday or as otherwise provided by law, such offices shall be kept open for the transaction of business.
d. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections a. through c. of this section, when the provisions of this subsection take effect, the following day each calendar year shall not be considered a public holiday for the purposes of conducting State government business:
February 12, known as Lincoln's Birthday.
All public offices of State government in this State shall be open on this day for the transaction of business.
(cf: P.L.2020, c.76 , s.2)
3. This act shall take effect on January 1 next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill designates Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State.
Sikhism is represented by the central principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to God. Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India during the 15th century, the Sikh spiritual tradition is rooted in the belief that every person, regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed, is equal before God. Sikhism is the world's fifth-largest religion with nearly 30 million adherents. Approximately one million Sikhs call the United States home, some of whom have families that began immigrating to the United States over 100 years ago. Sikh spiritual tradition and the founding principles of the United States contain significant similarities, such as the belief of the equality of persons before God and a commitment to public service to one's neighbor and nation.
Vaisakhi is a Sikh day of gathering and celebration that originated more than 300 years ago. It is a harvest festival that marks the day in which the tenth in a line of gurus, or spiritual leaders, unified Sikhs and formalized many aspects of the faith. Vaisakhi typically falls on April 13 or April 14 of each year and marks the first day of the month Vaisakh in the Sikh calendar. It was on Vaisakhi that the mandatory outward identity was established, ensuring that Sikhs may stand out and be called upon for help. Vaisakhi is often celebrated by Sikhs attending their local gurdwara to worship, meditate, and to participate in langar, which is a free community meal prepared and served by volunteers at gurdwaras.
Bandi Chhor Divas, meaning liberation of prisoners day, is a Sikh day of gathering and celebration which commemorates Guru Hargobind Sahib's release from Gwalior Fort prison in the 17th century. The sixth guru refused to be released unless other innocent princes were also freed and returned to the holy city of Amritsar. Emperor Jahangir, his captor, said that those who clung to the guru's coat would be able to go free. This was meant to limit the number of prisoners who could be released. In response, Guru Hargobind had a coat made with 52 tassels attached to it so that all of the princes could leave prison with him. This story reminds Sikhs of freedom and human rights, and on Bandi Chhor Divas, these principles are celebrated. This day, which typically falls in the autumn, is celebrated by the lighting of homes and gurdwaras, a celebratory street procession called nagar kirtan, langar, and fireworks displays. Gifts, especially dried fruits and sweets, are often exchanged during this day.
