A7768
An act to amend the Education Law - designating Asian Lunar New Year as a statewide school holiday — 2023-06-10 · Calendar #1840
The Senate unanimously passed A7768, designating Asian Lunar New Year as a statewide school holiday, on a 62-0 roll call vote. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Colton and carried in the Senate by Sen. Kavanagh, recognizes the cultural significance of the holiday to New York's growing Asian-American population. Supporters noted the AAPI community has grown 38 percent between census counts and that the holiday is celebrated by approximately 2 billion people worldwide. Sen. Mayer, the Education Committee chair, pledged to work with the State Education Department to ensure schools have flexibility in balancing holiday celebrations with the state's 180-day school requirement. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023.
PASSED
Ayes: 62
· Nays: 0
Debate Summary
Senators praised the bill for recognizing the cultural significance of Lunar New Year to New York's growing Asian-American population. Sen. Kavanagh noted the AAPI community has grown 38 percent between census counts and highlighted the importance of the holiday to many Asian-American New Yorkers. Sen. Chu emphasized that the holiday is celebrated by approximately 2 billion people worldwide and that the bill allows students and families to celebrate without choosing between school attendance and family traditions. Sen. Mayer raised the need for flexibility and coordination with the State Education Department and Board of Regents to balance holiday celebrations with the state's 180-day school requirement.