bill making every school district adopt a recess policy

The text as introduced · 342 words

90R2483 KRM-F

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 93

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to policies on the recess period in public schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is

amended by adding Sections 28.0045 and 28.0046 to read as follows:

Sec. 28.0045. MODEL RECESS POLICIES. The Department of

State Health Services School Health Advisory Committee established

under Section 1001.0711, Health and Safety Code, shall develop

model policies for the recess period during the school day that

encourage constructive, age-appropriate outdoor playtime. The

model policies must include guidelines for outdoor equipment and

facilities on public school campuses that maximize the

effectiveness of outdoor physical activity.

Sec. 28.0046. RECESS POLICY. (a) The board of trustees of

each school district shall:

(1) after reviewing the model recess policies

developed under Section 28.0045 and the policy recommendations of

the local school health advisory council provided under Section

28.004(l), adopt a recess policy based on those model policies and

recommendations; and

(2) review and, if necessary, revise the recess policy

adopted under Subdivision (1) at least every five years.

(b) The recess policy adopted under Subsection (a) must

specify the required number of minutes of weekly unstructured

playtime.

(c) Each school district campus subject to the recess policy

adopted under Subsection (a) shall implement the recess policy.

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2028, the

Department of State Health Services School Health Advisory

Committee shall develop model recess policies as required by

Section 28.0045, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than May 1, 2028, the board of trustees of each

school district shall adopt a recess policy as required by Section

28.0046, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(c) Not later than the beginning of the 2028-2029 school

year, each school district campus subject to a school district

recess policy adopted under Section 28.0046, Education Code, as

added by this Act, shall implement the adopted policy.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.