HB 1782 — An Act providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of September 17 as "Constitution Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   2191

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1782
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY DIAMOND, SCHMITT, STAATS, PICKETT, REICHARD,
        KAUFFMAN, JAMES, BANTA AND KRUPA, AUGUST 4, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, AUGUST 4, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Providing for the annual designation and holiday observance of
 2      September 17 as "Constitution Day" in Pennsylvania.
 3      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 4   hereby enacts as follows:
 5   Section 1.   Legislative findings.
 6      The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
 7          (1)     Constitution Day is a Federal observance recognized
 8      in all 50 states.
 9          (2)     The United States Congress designated September 17
10      as Constitution Day on February 29, 1962, by joint
11      resolution.
12          (3)     An amendment filed to the Federal omnibus spending
13      bill of 2004 mandates that all publicly funded educational
14      institutions and Federal agencies provide educational
15      programs on the history of the United States Constitution on
16      that day.
17          (4)     The celebration of Constitution Day allows for the
18      widespread consideration of events contributing to the
 1      founding of the United States and provides opportunities for
 2      education on the nation's cultural heritage.
 3          (5)    Constitution Day acknowledges the rights, freedoms
 4      and liberties of United States citizens as protected under a
 5      written Constitution.
 6          (6)    Publicly funded schools and universities in the
 7      Commonwealth should encourage educational programs
 8      surrounding the history of the United States Constitution on
 9      the day of September 17, or on preceding or following weeks
10      should the original date fall on a weekend or other observed
11      holiday.
12   Section 2.    Designation.
13      In accordance with the official day recognized by the Federal
14   Government, September 17 shall be designated as "Constitution
15   Day" in this Commonwealth.
16   Section 3.    Construction.
17      Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring an
18   employer to treat Constitution Day as a legal or official
19   holiday or to provide paid leave to an employee on Constitution
20   Day solely by virtue of the date being designated under this
21   act.
22   Section 4.    Effective date.
23      This act shall take effect immediately.




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