State committee advances bill to add Jewish and Muslim holy days to Commonwealth calendar amid concerns about paid leave

The House State Government Committee on Friday voted to report House Bill 363, a measure that would add Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al‑Fitr and Eid al‑Adha to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s list of recognized state holidays.

Representative Khan, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the measure is meant to recognize the faiths of “about half a million Pennsylvanians” and stressed the language does not mandate days off for schools or businesses. “It simply adds this to the list of holidays already recognized by the Commonwealth,” Khan said.

Co‑prime sponsor Representative Dan Frankel said the bill is a bipartisan recognition of faith traditions and urged colleagues to move it forward in the spirit of mutual respect. “Every major faith tradition teaches the importance of respect, recognition and the dignity of others,” Frankel said.

Committee Chair Roy said he supported religious freedom but opposed the bill on the grounds that recognition could evolve into paid holidays for state employees. “Pennsylvania government employees already have several paid holidays where they’re not at work,” Roy said, adding that pauses in state operations can delay services such as licensing and permitting.

Representative Boyd asked for clarification about the mechanics that could lead to paid leave; Roy answered that contracts and discussions with unions often treat the list of “official state holidays” as a starting point for negotiations over paid days off. Representative Khan responded that the bill text explicitly states it would not create a mandated paid holiday and cited precedent in which other recognized days (for example, Diwali) do not require days off.

Representative Schusterman said many private employers already accommodate faith‑based observances by allowing flexible leave; she urged the Commonwealth to “catch up” with businesses that already recognize a range of religious holidays.

The committee voted to report the bill. The transcript records roll‑call votes; the motion passed and HB 363 will move forward in the legislative process.