Overview

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 268, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, officially designating Diwali as a California state holiday.
• The law takes effect on January 1 and allows public school students to receive an excused absence to observe the festival.
• Public schools and community colleges may choose to close for Diwali, with certain school and community college employees receiving the day off with pay.
• State employees are permitted to elect the day off under the new designation.
• California joins Pennsylvania and Connecticut in codifying Diwali as a state holiday, following advocacy from groups including the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus in North America.