Juneteenth is a legal holiday in Louisiana on paper, but whether it actually closes state offices depends on the governor. State law recognizes Juneteenth Day and a 2021 act added it to the list of legal state holidays, yet it is not on the statute that automatically shuts state offices. In practice, the governor issues a proclamation each year to make it a day off for state employees. Juneteenth is also a full federal holiday, so federal offices, banks, and post offices in Louisiana close every June 19 no matter what the state decides.
What Louisiana Law Says
Louisiana first recognized Juneteenth in 2003 through Louisiana Revised Statute 1:58.2, which designates the third Saturday in June as “Juneteenth Day” and frames it as a commemorative day honoring the history and achievements of African Americans.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:58.2 – Juneteenth Day
In 2021, Act 128 added RS 1:55.1, which placed “Juneteenth Day, the third Saturday in June” on the list of legal state holidays.2Louisiana State Legislature. Act No. 128 of 2021 Resume Digest Note the date: Louisiana’s statutory Juneteenth falls on the third Saturday in June, not June 19.
The catch sits in a different statute. RS 1:55, Louisiana’s main holiday law, lists the holidays that automatically close state offices, including New Year’s Day, Mardi Gras, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Juneteenth is not on that list.3Justia Law. Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:55 – Days of Public Rest, Legal Holidays, and Half-Holidays That omission is why Juneteenth’s observance in Louisiana depends on the governor each year rather than running automatically.
The Governor’s Proclamation Decides Each Year
RS 1:55(B)(3) gives the governor authority to authorize state departments to observe additional holidays by executive proclamation.4Louisiana State Civil Service. General Circular Number 2025-051 – Upcoming Legal and Proclaimed Holidays That proclamation is what turns Juneteenth from a statute on the books into an actual day off for state workers. Governor Edwards issued one in 2021, and Governor Landry issued one in 2024.5Office of the Governor. Legal State Holiday – Juneteenth Day Proclamation 2024
Without a proclamation, state agencies are not required to close. The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association’s holiday schedule reflects that reality, listing Juneteenth as “No Holiday unless Governor’s Proclamation.” If you are planning around Louisiana state offices, watch for the governor’s announcement rather than assuming the day is guaranteed.
Federal Services Close Either Way
At the federal level there is no ambiguity. President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021, adding June 19 to the list of federal legal public holidays under 5 U.S.C. ยง 6103.6Congress.gov. S.475 – Juneteenth National Independence Day Act7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 5 USC 6103 – Holidays Every federal office in Louisiana closes on June 19, every year, without any proclamation needed.
That closure list reaches into daily life. The Federal Reserve observes Juneteenth, so banks do not process wire transfers or ACH transactions on that day, and payments scheduled for June 19 settle on the next business day.8Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Federal Reserve Bank Holiday Schedule All Social Security Administration field offices close.9Social Security Administration. Holiday Closings of Social Security Offices USPS does not deliver regular mail.10USPS. Holidays and Events Federal courthouses, IRS offices, and Veterans Affairs facilities follow the same schedule.
State Employees When a Proclamation Issues
When the governor does proclaim Juneteenth, Civil Service rules treat it the same as any statutory holiday for pay and leave. Employees normally scheduled to work receive holiday pay, and those required to report receive compensatory time.11Louisiana State Civil Service. Understanding State Holidays If the holiday falls on an employee’s regular day off, the agency head designates the closest scheduled workday as the substitute.
Even with a proclamation, closures are not absolute. Appointing authorities can require employees to work when it is necessary for the efficient administration of a state facility whose operation is indispensable to the citizens of the state.4Louisiana State Civil Service. General Circular Number 2025-051 – Upcoming Legal and Proclaimed Holidays Essential services like law enforcement and emergency medical operations continue, with compensatory time for the staff who work.
Private Employers in Louisiana
No federal or Louisiana state law requires private employers to give workers a paid day off on Juneteenth or any other holiday. The U.S. Department of Labor is explicit: the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked, including holidays, and those benefits are a matter of agreement between employer and employee.12U.S. Department of Labor. Holiday Pay
Whether a private employer in Louisiana offers Juneteenth as a paid holiday depends on company policy, employment contracts, or collective bargaining agreements. Some employers added Juneteenth after it became a federal holiday in 2021, particularly those with federal contracts.
If a private employer has a written policy or contract granting Juneteenth as paid and then refuses to honor it, the recourse runs through that contract or policy. Employees can file complaints with the Louisiana Workforce Commission for certain labor law violations or pursue a private lawsuit for breach of contract.13Louisiana Workforce Commission. Report Louisiana Labor Law Violations
Courts and Filing Deadlines
Louisiana courts generally do not hold sessions on legal holidays, and clerks’ offices close.14Louisiana Supreme Court. Louisiana District Court Rules Appendix 2.0 – Local Holidays Because Juneteenth’s status is proclamation-dependent, anyone with a court date near June 19 should verify the schedule with the specific court. Some judicial districts give the chief judge authority to set additional holidays or require court to convene on a legal holiday.
Filing deadlines follow the same logic. Under Louisiana procedural rules, when a deadline falls on a legal holiday, it generally extends to the next business day. Whether that protection applies on Juneteenth in a given year turns on whether the governor has proclaimed it.
Juneteenth 2026 in Louisiana
In 2026, the federal Juneteenth holiday falls on Friday, June 19. Federal employees, offices, banks, and the post office will observe it that day with no weekend-rule adjustment needed. Louisiana’s statutory Juneteenth Day under RS 1:58.2 falls on the third Saturday in June, which in 2026 is June 20.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:58.2 – Juneteenth Day
Whether Louisiana state employees get Friday, June 19 as a paid day off depends on the governor’s proclamation. When recent governors have proclaimed the holiday, they have aligned the state observance with the federal date of June 19 rather than the third Saturday designated in the statute. The Division of Administration’s published 2026 state holiday calendar does not yet include Juneteenth, but past proclamations have been issued in the weeks before the date.15Louisiana Division of Administration. State Holiday Calendar Watch the governor’s office for the announcement.