California looks to add Diwali to list of official state holidays

Governor has until Oct. 12 to decide on recognizing the Hindu 'Festival of Lights.'

- BY KAREN GARCIA

VOLUNTEERS tend to rangoli, or sand art, as part of their Diwali celebration.

(ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times)

California could become the latest U.S. state to designate Diwali as an official statewide holiday.

The California Legislature recently passed Assembly Bill 268, which would add Diwali, also known as Deepavali and the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” to the state's official holiday list.

The Assembly bill would authorize community colleges and public schools to close on Diwali. State employees would be allowed to elect to take the day off; certain community college and public school employees would be given time off with pay under the proposed law.

California now has 11 state holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

In order for the bill to become law, Gov. Gavin Newsom must sign it before Oct. 12. A representative for Newsom could not immediately be reached for comment.