Utah Senate Bill 193 proposes adding Good Friday to the state holiday calendar while removing the statutory reference to Easter Sunday.
TLDR
Utah Senate Bill 193, introduced by Senator Keven Stratton, seeks to designate the Friday before Easter Sunday as a legal state holiday. If passed, state offices and courts would close, providing a paid day of rest for public employees. The bill simultaneously removes Easter Sunday from the legal holiday list, as the state already observes a five day work week and offices are closed on Sundays. Twelve other states currently recognize Good Friday, but the practice remains legally controversial. Opponents argue that the holiday lacks secular traditions and violates the Establishment Clause. Supporters contend that the move is a practical accommodation for the religious practices of a majority of Utah residents and aligns with historical traditions.
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