Existing law requires the board of trustees of each school district to provide instruction in physical education to the pupils enrolled in the public schools within the school district. (NRS 389.018) Section 1 of this bill requires the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of a charter school to adopt a policy requiring at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess each school day for pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 through 5. Section 1 requires the policy to include provisions: (1) exempting certain pupils who are unable to participate in recess; (2) prohibiting the denial of recess for reasons related to academics or behavior, except in certain circumstances; and (3) requiring certain alternatives for outdoor recess when weather or other conditions make outdoor recess unsafe or otherwise inappropriate.
Section 2 of this bill authorizes the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of a charter school to authorize a pupil enrolled in junior high or middle school or high school to receive academic credit for completing certain approved outdoor recreational activities outside of school hours.