Juneteenth Observance Amendments

2026 General Session Introduced by Kirk Cullimore and 1 co-sponsor

Utah recognizes Juneteenth as a legal holiday from 2027 and includes it in holiday-based parent-time schedules, with weekend observance rules aligned to other holidays.

Governor Signed

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Summary of HB 309 (2026) – Juneteenth Observance Amendments (Utah)

Purpose and intent

HB 309, introduced by Representative S. Hollins and carried with co-sponsors, amends Utah law to recognize Juneteenth National Freedom Day as a legal holiday on the same day the federal government recognizes the holiday. The bill also adjusts related provisions for holiday observance in state law, including holiday scheduling rules and the minimum parent-time (visitation) schedule in family law.

Key provisions and changes

Affected Utah Code sections:

63G-1-301 (Legal holidays)
81-9-302, 81-9-303, 81-9-304 (Minimum and optional parent-time schedules for five- to 18-year-old children; under-five schedules)

Juneteenth recognition:

Juneteenth National Freedom Day is added to the list of Utah legal holidays, aligning state recognition with federal recognition.
When Juneteenth falls on a weekend, the bill aligns with the treatment of other legal holidays by allowing a preceding Friday or following Monday observance, respectively (consistent with existing holiday practices).

Parent-time (custody) impacts:

The bill reaffirms and updates the holiday-related parent-time schedules to include Juneteenth as a holiday option within the established framework of holidays that affect weekend/weekday scheduling.
The holiday table for parent-time (under both minimum and optional schedules) includes Juneteenth as a listed holiday with specific start/end times, mirroring other major holidays in the schedule (e.g., MLK Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, etc.).
For both the five-to-18 and under-five schedules, Juneteenth is incorporated into the holiday rotation so that noncustodial parents may receive extended or shared time around the holiday, subject to the same rules governing other holidays.

Effective date:

The act takes effect January 1, 2027.

Who would be affected

State employees and the general public: Juneteenth would be recognized as a Utah legal holiday, with standard holiday observance rules applying.

Families with a court-ordered parenting plan: The holiday schedule now explicitly includes Juneteenth, affecting how parent-time is allocated around the holiday for five- to 18-year-old children and, to a broader extent, for younger children under minimum schedules.

Local governments and school systems: Administrative recognition and scheduling considerations will align with the state holiday designation.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Effective date: January 1, 2027.

Legislative history shows a substituted 1st Sub. HB 309 passed the House and Senate, with governor signature in 2026, and a fiscal note indicating no expected significant state or local costs.

The bill adopts an effective date well in advance of its first applicability in 2027, allowing agencies and courts to prepare for implementation.

Practical impact

Utah state recognition of Juneteenth will mirror federal observance, with flexible observance when the holiday falls on weekends.

Families engaging in custody/parent-time arrangements should anticipate Juneteenth being treated as a holiday with corresponding time allocations, similar to other major holidays already listed in Utah law.