HB2629

THE CONTEXT: Current statute establishes certain days as non-legal holidays, including Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Celebration Day ( A. R.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would establish November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day (a non-legal holiday), mandate that Victims of Communism Day will be observed by schools the preceding or following day if it falls on a day when school is not in session, and require SBE to develop a list of recommended resources for instruction about the history of communist regimes that align with academic standards prescribed in A.R.S 15-701.01, and to establish a process for public schools to recommend additional resources.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to create an operative state process for schools instead of leaving implementation undefined. It would establish November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day (a non-legal holiday), and would also mandate that Victims of Communism Day will be observed by schools the preceding or following day if it falls on a day when school is not in session, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.