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Committee holds bill to mandate brief daily morning exercise for students for further drafting
Summary
Bill 36-0080, which would require a brief daily morning exercise routine for public school students, was held in committee after the sponsor and witnesses agreed the concept needs clearer drafting and implementation details. The sponsor described the exercise as short and non‑rigorous—feature that, she said, could help students' mental readiness.
The Committee on Education and Workforce Development held Bill 36‑0080 on Wednesday after sponsor testimony and committee discussion clarified the proposal’s intent and flagged drafting questions.
Senator Alma Francis Heiliger, the bill sponsor, said the measure would carve out a short period each morning for light physical activity such as breathing exercises or gentle stretching. “If you even carve out 3 minutes at the beginning of the day … that short period of time could really change the mindset of a child and how they go through the entire day,” Senator Heiliger said.
Committee members and the Department of Education indicated they support the goal but asked for more specificity on whether the routine is mandatory or recommended, how to accommodate students with disabilities or medical exemptions, and which department would issue guidance. Senators also asked the sponsor to distinguish the bill from existing physical‑education requirements and school‑level practices that already provide exercise and assemblies.
Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff moved that the bill be held in committee at the call of the chair; Senator Avery L. Lewis seconded. A roll call recorded six yeas and one absence (Senator Marie C. James); the motion passed and the bill was held to allow the sponsor to refine language and implementation details.
Committee members suggested the sponsor work with the Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to develop standard guidance that would protect students with medical needs and accommodate school schedules.
Votes at a glance: Motion to hold Bill 36‑0080 in committee — outcome: held (6–0, 1 absent).
