Overview
- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 268 on Oct. 6, adding Diwali to the state holiday list beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
- The law authorizes public schools and community colleges to close for Diwali and guarantees excused absences for students.
- State employees may elect to take the day off, with specified paid leave options for certain school and community college employees.
- California becomes the third state to grant statewide recognition, following Pennsylvania in 2024 and Connecticut in 2025.
- The measure, coauthored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, explicitly notes observance by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists and was praised by groups including the Hindu American Foundation, CoHNA, the Sikh Coalition and Indiaspora.