Bill > S446

This bill aims to establish and protect recess time for elementary school students in Massachusetts by mandating that all children in kindergarten through fifth grade receive at least 100 minutes of supervised, unstructured free-play recess per week, with a minimum of 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess daily. The bill defines "free play" as an unstructured environment that is still supervised by school personnel. Additionally, the legislation prevents public elementary schools from reducing recess time due to changes in educational standards or curriculum, ensuring that students maintain opportunities for physical and social activities. The bill specifically states that recess cannot be excluded from structured learning time requirements and does not increase the total number of required school hours. It also provides flexibility for school committees to designate certain middle or intermediate-level schools (including those with grades 5-6) under this recess provision, thereby protecting recess opportunities for students in these transitional educational stages.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S446