The bill H. 3212 aims to enhance physical activity standards in South Carolina public schools by amending several sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It stipulates that instructional days for students cannot begin before 8:30 a.m. and mandates an increase in mandatory physical activity minutes. Specifically, starting in the 2026-2027 school year, students in kindergarten through third grade must receive at least ninety minutes of physical activity daily, while students in fourth through eighth grades must receive a minimum of sixty minutes. This physical activity must include physical education, instructional play, and unstructured play, with a requirement of at least ninety minutes of physical education each week.

Additionally, the bill requires the designation of Physical Education Activity Directors in middle schools, who will be responsible for planning and coordinating additional physical activity opportunities beyond the standard physical education curriculum. The amendments also define "instructional play" as the use of physical activity or games to facilitate academic learning. The overall goal of the bill is to improve student health and academic performance by integrating more physical activity into the school day.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 59-1-425, 59-10-10, 59-10-30
Latest Version: 59-1-425, 59-10-10, 59-10-30
12/06/2024: 59-1-425, 59-10-10, 59-10-30