MD HB1386

Howard County Board of Education must close all public schools, buildings, and offices to observe six religious and cultural holidays: Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur

For multi-day holidays (Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, and Rosh Hashanah), schools close only on the first day if it falls on a weekday

Yom Kippur is observed as a full closure regardless of its duration

These requirements apply exclusively to Howard County and do not affect other Maryland counties

Effective date: July 1, 2025