What's happening
The bill requires all elementary schools in New York to provide daily recess with unstructured physical activity for students in pre-kindergarten through grade six.
Why it matters
Mandates dedicated time for unstructured physical activity. , which research shows is crucial for children’s physical health, mental well-being, and social development—potentially reducing stress and improving focus in the classroom.
Limits schools’ ability to reduce or eliminate recess. for academic or disciplinary reasons, ensuring that all students have equitable access to free play regardless of school pressures or policies.
Requires adult supervision (staff or volunteers) during recess. , which helps ensure student safety while still allowing kids the autonomy of unstructured play, balancing safety with freedom.
Supports broader education and public health goals. by embedding daily physical activity into the school routine, which may help address concerns about childhood obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and related long-term health issues.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Daily School Recess
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10449
IN ASSEMBLY
April 23, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. PELLEGRINO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring recess every day for elementary school students
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 817 to read as follows:
§ 817. Recess. Each school shall regularly schedule a time of a reasonable length within each school day for each full day pupil attending pre-kindergarten through grade six to engage in physical activity in an unstructured free play session monitored by a staff of school employees or volunteers.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14222-03-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.