Physical activity in schools

Requires public elementary school students to be provided with recess time each day.

Where it stands

Introduced

Senate committee

Senate vote

House committee

House vote

Governor

Last action, June 27, 2025: In committee upon adjournment.

Requires students to be provided with recess time each day.

Full legislative summary

Requires public elementary school students to be provided with recess time each day.

Prohibits the withholding of recess or the imposition of physical activity as a form of discipline.

SB 1596(opens in a new tab)2026Law · Starts January 1, 2027Play-based learning will count as instructional time in kindergarten through grade 5. PE and recess don’t count toward it.

Georgia HB 1283(opens in a new tab)2022Requires daily recess for K-5 public school students, with exceptions such as days with physical education class.
Washington SB 5257(opens in a new tab)2023Requires at least 30 minutes of daily recess for elementary students and discourages withholding recess as discipline.
California SB 291(opens in a new tab)2023Requires at least 30 minutes of recess on regular school days and bars withholding it except for immediate safety threats.
Louisiana HB 121(opens in a new tab)2023Requires at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play each school day for kindergarten through fifth grade.
Connecticut HB 6880(opens in a new tab)2023Requires play-based learning in preschool and kindergarten and lets teachers use it in grades 1 through 5.
Tennessee SB 158(opens in a new tab)2025Raises required physical activity for elementary students to at least 40 minutes per school day, up from 130 minutes per week.
Oklahoma SB 1481(opens in a new tab)2026Doubles required daily recess for K-5 students to 40 minutes and bars withholding recess as discipline.
Pennsylvania HB 1505(opens in a new tab)2026Makes daily recess mandatory for kindergarten through fifth grade starting in the 2027-28 school year.

June 27, 2025 · Senate
In committee upon adjournment.
April 2, 2025 · Senate
Work Session held.
March 26, 2025 · Senate
Public Hearing held.
March 3, 2025 · Senate
Referred to Education.
February 27, 2025 · Senate
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.