63G-1-401.  Commemorative periods.

(1)  As used in this section, “commemorative period” means a special observance declared by the governor that annually recognizes and honors a culturally or historically significant day, week, month, or other time period in the state.

Terms Used In Utah Code 63G-1-401

  • Armed forces: means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Month: means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • United States: includes each state, district, and territory of the United States of America. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
(2) 

(a)  The governor may declare a commemorative period by issuing a declaration.

(b)  The governor shall maintain a list of all commemorative periods declared by the governor.

(3) 

(a)  The governor’s declaration of a commemorative period expires the year immediately following the day on which the governor issues the declaration.

(b)  Subsection (3)(a) does not prevent the governor from redeclaring a commemorative period before or after the commemorative period expires.

(4)  Notwithstanding Subsections (2) and (3), the following days shall be commemorated annually:

(a)  Utah History Day at the Capitol, on the Friday immediately following the fourth Monday in January, to encourage citizens of the state, including students, to participate in activities that recognize Utah’s history;

(b)  Day of Remembrance for Incarceration of Japanese Americans, on February 19, in remembrance of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II;

(c)  Utah State Flag Day, on March 9;

(d)  Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, on March 29;

(e)  Utah Railroad Workers Day, on May 10;

(f)  Dandy-Walker Syndrome Awareness Day, on May 11;

(g)  Armed Forces Day, on the third Saturday in May, in honor of men and women who are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces around the world in defense of freedom;

(h)  Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Awareness Day, on June 30;

(i)  Navajo Code Talker Day, on August 14;

(j)  Rachael Runyan/Missing and Exploited Children’s Day, on August 26, the anniversary of the day three-year-old Rachael Runyan was kidnaped from a playground in Sunset, Utah, to:

(i)  encourage individuals to make child safety a priority;

(ii)  remember the importance of continued efforts to reunite missing children with their families; and

(iii)  honor Rachael Runyan and all Utah children who have been abducted or exploited;

(k)  Constitution Day, on September 17, to invite all Utah adults and Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, and for students to be taught principles from the United States Constitution that include federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited government, and the necessary and proper, commerce, and supremacy clauses;

(l)  POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the third Friday in September;

(m)  Diwali, on the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik, known as Lakshmi puja, or the Hindu festival of lights;

(n)  Victims of Communism Memorial Day, on November 7;

(o)  Indigenous People Day, on the Monday immediately preceding Thanksgiving; and

(p)  Bill of Rights Day, on December 15.

(5)  The Department of Veterans and Military Affairs shall coordinate activities, special programs, and promotional information to heighten public awareness and involvement relating to Subsections (4)(g) and (l).

(6)  The month of April shall be commemorated annually as Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet Month to:

(a)  recognize the urgent need to make Utah homes and neighborhoods safe from prescription medication abuse and poisonings by the proper home storage and disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications; and

(b)  educate citizens about the permanent medication disposal sites in Utah listed on useonlyasdirected.org that allow disposal throughout the year.

(7)  The second full week of April shall be commemorated annually as Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week to recognize and increase awareness within the community of the services that animal care and control professionals provide.

(8)  The first full week of May shall be commemorated annually as State Water Week to recognize the importance of water conservation, quality, and supply in the state.

(9)  The third full week of June shall be commemorated annually as Workplace Safety Week to heighten public awareness regarding the importance of safety in the workplace.

(10)  The second Friday and Saturday in August shall be commemorated annually as Utah Fallen Heroes Days to:

(a)  honor fallen heroes who, during service in the military or public safety, have sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the citizens of the state; and

(b)  encourage political subdivisions to acknowledge and honor fallen heroes.

(11)  The third full week in August shall be commemorated annually as Drowsy Driving Awareness Week to:

(a)  educate the public about the relationship between fatigue and driving performance; and

(b)  encourage the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation to recognize and promote educational efforts on the dangers of drowsy driving.

(12)  The month of September shall be commemorated annually as American Founders and Constitution Month to:

(a)  encourage all civic, fraternal, and religious organizations, and public and private educational institutions, to recognize and observe this occasion through appropriate programs, teaching, meetings, services, or celebrations in which state, county, and local governmental officials are invited to participate; and

(b)  invite all Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, and to be taught principles from the United States Constitution that include federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited government, and the necessary and proper, commerce, and supremacy clauses.

(13)  The third full week of September shall be commemorated annually as Gang Prevention Awareness Week.

(14)  The month of October shall be commemorated annually as Italian-American Heritage Month.

(15)  The month of November shall be commemorated annually as American Indian Heritage Month.

(16)  The first full week of December shall be commemorated annually as Avalanche Awareness Week to:

(a)  educate the public about avalanche awareness and safety;

(b)  encourage collaborative efforts to decrease annual avalanche accidents and fatalities; and

(c)  honor Utah residents who have lost their lives in avalanches, including those who lost their lives working to prevent avalanches.

Amended by Chapter 57, 2023 General Session
Amended by Chapter 351, 2023 General Session
Amended by Chapter 472, 2023 General Session

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