NY A09565

Designates the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik, known as Lakshmi Puja, as a school holiday in qualified school districts where the board of education determines schools have a significant South-Asian population.

Defines a qualified school district as a city school district in a city with one million or more inhabitants and an Asian population of at least seven and one-half percent, or a South Asian population of at least three percent if such demographic data becomes available.

Authorizes and directs school authorities in qualified districts to close all public schools on Lakshmi Puja during the Festival of Diwali.

Requires the Commissioner of Education to disregard any reduction in instructional time resulting from observance of Lakshmi Puja and to count the day as a session day for calculation purposes.

Takes effect one hundred twenty days after becoming law.