Committee approves expanded PE requirement and minimum recess for K‑8

The House Education and Public Works full committee reported bill 3195 favorably as amended after adopting a narrowly scoped amendment addressing waivers for students who are bused between campuses for advanced coursework.

Representative Bradley outlined the bill as increasing physical education requirements, saying the measure aims to address low fitness levels among students. Committee staff explained the statute’s scope: under current law kindergarten through grade 5 retain their existing minimum requirements, but the bill requires that grades 6 through 8 receive a minimum of 60 hours of physical education per school year. In addition, the bill establishes a minimum of 20 minutes of outdoor recess for each student in grades K through 8; in inclement weather, recess may be held indoors.

Committee staff told members existing waiver provisions remain in place: a physician may excuse a child, and parents may seek exemptions for sincerely held religious beliefs. The amendment before the committee provides an additional, narrowly drawn waiver for infrequent situations in which a middle-school student is bused to a high school campus to take an advanced course and the trip would preclude participation in the scheduled PE time. Staff described that waiver as expected to be rarely used.

Representative Grant asked what alternative activities would be assigned when a waiver is granted; staff said that local districts would determine how to use the time in those cases. The committee adopted the amendment on a roll-call vote (17 ayes, 1 absent) and then reported the bill favorably as amended by roll call (17 ayes, 1 absent). The bill now goes to the House floor for consideration.