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HB 471

Legal holidays; designate June 19 as Juneteenth Freedom Day.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Omeria Scott

Mississippi bill designates June 19 as Juneteenth Freedom Day, an official state legal holiday commemorating African American emancipation.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 471

Legislative bill overview

HB 471 would designate June 19 as "Juneteenth Freedom Day" as an official legal holiday in Mississippi. The bill would recognize the date commemorating June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their emancipation, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Why is this important

Legal holiday designations affect state employees' work schedules, business operations, and public observance. This bill represents a formal state acknowledgment of a significant historical event in African American history. Currently, 49 states and the federal government recognize Juneteenth as a legal holiday; Mississippi does not.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Designating new paid holidays for state employees may increase payroll expenses, requiring budget adjustments
  • Religious holiday balance: Some stakeholders debate whether additional secular holidays should be added when certain religious holidays remain unrecognized by the state
  • Historical framing: Questions about the specific name "Freedom Day" and how the holiday is officially described and taught in schools

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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