The bill amends Section 1003.455 of the Florida Statutes to require district school boards to provide a minimum of 100 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free-play recess each week for students in grades 6 through 8, expanding the current requirement which only includes students up to grade 5. This change aims to ensure that students receive at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess each day, promoting physical activity and well-being among middle school students.

The bill specifies that this recess requirement does not apply to charter schools and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The inclusion of grades 6 through 8 in the recess mandate reflects a growing recognition of the importance of physical activity for older students, aligning with educational and health objectives.

Statutes affected:
H 1149 Filed: 1003.455