Howard County - Board of Education - Mandatory School Holidays Ho. Co. 11-26

This bill requires Howard County public schools to close for student attendance on specific religious and cultural holidays starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The new mandatory closures include Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Juneteenth, with only the first day of the listed holidays requiring closure. The legislation amends existing state law that currently mandates school closures for established holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and federal observances. This change applies exclusively to Howard County and does not affect other Maryland school districts. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, though the holiday closures would begin in the following school year.