The proposed bill amends the State School Aid Act of 1979 by adding a new section, 101a, which mandates that all school districts and public school academies provide recess for students each school day. The bill outlines specific requirements for recess, including that it must be unstructured, outdoor play for students in grades K to 5, with a minimum duration of 40 minutes for school days of 5 hours or more, or at least 1/10 of the school day for shorter days. It also specifies that recess cannot be withheld for disciplinary reasons and must be modified only as necessary to accommodate students' individualized education programs or related plans.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that recess does not include time spent transitioning to and from school buses, dressing for outdoor play, or physical education classes. It emphasizes that recess should not involve the use of electronic devices unless specified in a student's educational plan. The definitions of "individualized education program" and "section 504 plan" are also included to ensure clarity in the implementation of these requirements.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 388.1601, 388.1896