New School Holidays in 2027: SB 1394 Establishes Farmworkers Day and AB 2017 Recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha; Considerations for Academic Calendars

10.22.2026

On September 27, 2026, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (“SB”) 1394 and Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2017, making changes to California’s designated state holidays and the holidays that public school districts and community college districts may observe.[1] On September 30, 2026, Governor Newsom signed AB 395, requiring educational institutions to make efforts to avoid scheduling significant educational events during religious, cultural, or ancestral holidays, the observance of which may limit public participation.

SB 1394: Replacing Cesar Chavez Day With Farmworkers Day

Effective January 1, 2027, SB 1394 changes the designation of Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day and moves the recognized holiday from March 31 to April 10. SB 1394 amends Education Code sections 37220.5, 45203, 79020, and 88203, to reflect the new holiday designation.

Per SB 1394, community colleges and public schools may close on April 10, known as Farmworkers Day, or the appropriate Monday or Friday preceding or following that date, if the governing board agrees to the closure pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the exclusive bargaining representative. Similarly, the legislation authorizes classified employees of school districts and community college districts to receive a paid holiday for Farmworkers Day when agreed upon through the applicable collective bargaining process. The legislation does not independently require all public schools or community colleges to close on April 10.

AB 2017: Recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as State Holidays

Effective January 1, 2027, AB 2017 adds Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to California’s list of designated state holidays and authorizes public schools and community colleges to recognize these holidays through their locally adopted calendars and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Per AB 2017, school districts and community college districts may elect to close schools or provide qualifying employees with paid holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, subject to the applicable statutory requirements and collective bargaining agreements. AB 2017 does not mandate that public schools or community colleges close for either holiday. Rather, the legislation provides additional flexibility for governing boards and exclusive bargaining representatives to negotiate the recognition of these holidays while considering local attendance patterns, staffing needs, instructional requirements, and other operational considerations.

AB 395: Consideration of Religious, Cultural, and Ancestral Holidays

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, AB 395 will require the governing boards of school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to consider making efforts to avoid scheduling the first day of class and high school graduation on dates which the governing board knows or has reason to know that members of the public would be unable to be present due to the observance of a religious, cultural, or ancestral holiday.

Additionally, AB 395 will require the governing board of a community college district and the California State University to make good faith efforts to avoid calendaring student orientation, move-in day, final exams, the beginning and ending of an academic term, or commencement ceremonies on dates where the governing board knows or has reason to know that members of the public would be unable to participate due to the observance of a religious, cultural, or ancestral holiday. AB 395 requests the University of California undertake similar considerations.

AB 395 requires a governing board of an educational institution to seek input from the affected community to ensure inclusive public participation in significant educational events. With respect to higher educational institutions, AB 395 permits an individual who has suffered harm as a result of a governing board’s bad faith effort to comply or callous disregard of the requirements of AB 395 section to bring an action for injunctive relief against the higher educational institution.

Should you have any questions regarding SB 1394, AB 2017, AB 395, or the impact of these changes on school calendars, collective bargaining agreements, or employee holiday entitlements, please contact the authors of this Alert or your regular AALRR counsel.

[1] Assembly Bill 1841 (2026) separately amends Government Code provisions concerning state holidays to address Native American Day (i.e., the fourth Friday in September). These amendments affect specified state employees, including teaching staff of schools under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Education or the Superintendent of Public Instruction. AB 1841’s provisions concerning Native American Day do not extend to public school districts, county offices of education, and community college districts. Under existing law, Native American Day remains a recognized holiday a governing board may elect to agree to a school closure pursuant to a memorandum of understanding.