Bill Text: NJ S1594 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requires a public school district to provide a daily recess period for students in grades kindergarten through 5.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2016-01-19 - Pocket Veto - Bills not Acted on by Governor-end of Session [S1594 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S1594-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Requires a public school district to provide a daily recess period for students in grades kindergarten through 5.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Education Committee on May 7, 2015, with amendments.
An Act concerning recess in public elementary schools and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Currently 16% of the nation's children are overweight, and an increasing number of children are developing cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes;
b. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Education, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommend that school-aged children should participate in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity;
c. Participation in a regularly scheduled recess period provides an opportunity for children to engage in essential physical activity and to establish healthy habits early in life;
d. Recess also affords a child the opportunity to practice skills such as cooperation, communication, and creativity, and a break from the day's routine improves attention, focus, behavior, and learning in the classroom; and
e. Because recess is such a vital component of a comprehensive school physical activity program and the total educational experience for elementary school students, it is therefore in the best interest of the elementary students in this State that they be provided with a daily recess period.
2. Beginning with the 1[2014-2015] 2015-20161 school year, a public school district shall provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through 5. The recess period shall be held outdoors, if feasible.
The recess period shall not be used to meet the course requirements set forth in N.J.S.18A:35-5.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
