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S 2184

Relates to enacting the "NYCHA HVAC repair act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Designates Diwali Day as a Massachusetts state holiday and requires the Governor to annually proclaim the date observance tied to the Hindu calendar.

REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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Bill Summary · S 2184

Summary — Senate Bill No. 2184 (MA) — "An Act designating Diwali Day as a state holiday"

Note: the bill text you provided is Massachusetts Senate No. 2184 (filed 01/08/2025) and establishes Diwali Day as a state holiday. Some of the metadata you supplied (title referencing a “NYCHA HVAC repair act” and a different set of sponsors) conflicts with the bill text; this summary is based on the bill text and filing information included in the packet.

Purpose

To formally designate Diwali (the Hindu “Festival of Lights”) as an official state holiday in Massachusetts by requiring the Governor to annually proclaim the day and recommend its observance by the public.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (Section 15AAAAAAA) to Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation setting aside the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik as the official “Diwali Day.”
  • Establishes that day as a state holiday and encourages its observance by the public as a period of special attention in recognition of Diwali, described in the text as a five-day festival whose third day is a day of thanksgiving and reflection celebrated worldwide.

Who or what would be affected

  • Massachusetts state government: the Governor’s office would be responsible for issuing an annual proclamation. The bill text labels the day a “state holiday,” which may affect state office schedules, ceremonial observances, and state event calendars.
  • State employees and institutions (e.g., courts, agencies, public offices, and possibly public schools) could be affected depending on how the state interprets “state holiday” for closures, pay/leave policies, and operations — the bill text itself does not specify operational details such as office closures, compensatory pay, or impacts on school calendars.
  • The public and communities observing Diwali would gain formal state recognition and an annually proclaimed date tied to the Hindu lunisolar calendar (Kartik), which shifts relative to the Gregorian calendar.

Administrative / technical notes

  • The date is defined by the Hindu lunisolar calendar (15th day of Kartik), so the Gregorian calendar date will vary each year; the Governor’s proclamation determines the specific observance date annually.
  • The bill does not define implementation details (e.g., whether state offices close, whether employees receive holiday pay), leaving those determinations to existing state personnel rules or future implementing measures.

Procedural status (from provided record)

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 130 / Senate No. 2184 (01/08/2025), presented by Senator Michael O. Moore.
  • Referred to committee(s), with a hearing recorded on 05/13/2025.
  • Committee reported favorably and the bill was referred to Senate Rules on 10/20/2025.
  • (The provided legislative-action timeline includes multiple committee referrals and dates; consult the official legislative clerk or online bill tracker for the most current status.)

Sponsors and discrepancies

  • The bill text lists Michael O. Moore as the sponsor/petitioner and includes several co-petitioners in the Massachusetts Senate.
  • Some metadata you provided (different bill title, out‑of‑state sponsors such as U.S. Senators) conflicts with the Massachusetts bill text; those items appear to be unrelated and are not reflected in the bill language summarized here.

If you want, I can:
- Check the current live status in the Massachusetts legislative database,
- Draft suggested language amending the bill to clarify operational effects (closures/pay),
- Or prepare a short explainer for stakeholders (state HR, faith communities, school districts) on implementation considerations.

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

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