Bill Text: NJ S3837 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Designates Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as State and public holidays.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-06-01 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [S3837 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2020-S3837-Introduced.html

SENATE, No. 3837

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 1, 2021

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as State and public holidays.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning legal holidays 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 1 of P.L.2008, c89 (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 Eid Ul-Fitr;

     [(5)] (6)  the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day;

     [(6)] (7)  June 19, known as Juneteenth Day;

     [(7)] (8)  July , known as Independence Day;

     (9) the day designated and known as Eid Ul-Adha;

     [(8)] (10)  the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day;

     [(9)] (11) the second Monday in October, known as Columbus Day;

     [(10] (12)  November 11, known as Armistice Day or Veterans' Day;

     [(11)] (13) the fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day;

     [(12)] (14)  December 25, known as Christmas Day; and

     [(13)] (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.2020, c.76. 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 Eid Ul-Fitr; the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day; June 19, known as Juneteenth Day; July 4, known as Independence Day; the day designated and known as Eid Ul-Adha; the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day; the second Monday in October, known as Columbus Day; November 11, known as Armistice Day or Veteran's 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 conduction 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 immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill designates Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as State and public holidays.

     Muslims celebrate two Eids every lunar year, Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha.  Eid Ul-Fitr, which means "festival of the breaking of the fast", is celebrated first at the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.  Muslims in the United States observe this month of sacrifice and contemplation by fasting, reading the Holy Quran, and participating in charity work, worship, and emphasizing self-discipline.  Eid Ul-Adha, the "feast of the sacrifice" is celebrated two months later and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac.  Eid Ul-Adha is the most sacred of the two Eids, and often coincides with the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage, an annual weeklong Islamic pilgrimage in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

     Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of society to make advancements in medicine, science, engineering, economics, sports, education, and law.  Three percent of adults in New Jersey identify as Muslim, and recognizing the significance of the two Eids by designating both festivals as public holidays will lead to greater education about Islam and Muslim Americans and help Muslim Americans feel a part of the community.

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