1     
JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE

2     
2016 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Sandra Hollins

5     
Senate Sponsor: Alvin B. Jackson

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7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions relating to commemorative periods.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     provides that Juneteenth Freedom Day shall be commemorated annually on the third
13     Saturday in June.
14     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15          None
16     Other Special Clauses:
17          None
18     Utah Code Sections Affected:
19     AMENDS:
20          63G-1-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapters 80, 86, 92, and 123
21     

22     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23          Section 1. Section 63G-1-401 is amended to read:
24          63G-1-401. Commemorative periods.
25          (1) The following days shall be commemorated annually:
26          (a) Bill of Rights Day, on December 15;
27          (b) Constitution Day, on September 17;

28          (c) Yellow Ribbon Day, on the third Monday in May, in honor of men and women who
29     are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces around the world in defense of
30     freedom;
31          (d) POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the third Friday in September;
32          (e) Indigenous People Day, on the Monday immediately preceding Thanksgiving;
33          (f) Utah State Flag Day, on March 9;
34          (g) Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, on March 29; [and]
35          (h) Utah History Day at the Capitol, on the Friday immediately following the fourth
36     Monday in January, to encourage citizens of the state, including students, to participate in
37     activities that recognize Utah's history[.]; and
38          (i) Juneteenth Freedom Day, on the third Saturday in June, in honor of Union General
39     Gordon Granger proclaiming the freedom of all slaves on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas.
40          (2) The Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs shall coordinate activities, special
41     programs, and promotional information to heighten public awareness and involvement relating
42     to Subsections (1)(c) and (d).
43          (3) The month of October shall be commemorated annually as Italian-American
44     Heritage Month.
45          (4) The month of November shall be commemorated annually as American Indian
46     Heritage Month.
47          (5) The month of April shall be commemorated annually as Clean Out the Medicine
48     Cabinet Month to:
49          (a) recognize the urgent need to make Utah homes and neighborhoods safe from
50     prescription medication abuse and poisonings by the proper home storage and disposal of
51     prescription and over-the-counter medications; and
52          (b) educate citizens about the permanent medication disposal sites in Utah listed on
53     useonlyasdirected.org that allow disposal throughout the year.
54          (6) The first full week of May shall be commemorated annually as State Water Week
55     to recognize the importance of water conservation, quality, and supply in the state.
56          (7) The second Friday and Saturday in August shall be commemorated annually as
57     Utah Fallen Heroes Days to:
58          (a) honor fallen heroes who, during service in the military or public safety, have

59     sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the citizens of the state; and
60          (b) encourage political subdivisions to acknowledge and honor fallen heroes.
61          (8) The third full week in August shall be commemorated annually as Drowsy Driving
62     Awareness Week to:
63          (a) educate the public about the relationship between fatigue and driving performance;
64     and
65          (b) encourage the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation to
66     recognize and promote educational efforts on the dangers of drowsy driving.
67          (9) The third full week of June shall be commemorated annually as Workplace Safety
68     Week to heighten public awareness regarding the importance of safety in the workplace.






Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel