summary
Introduced
01/02/2026
01/02/2026
In Committee
01/02/2026
01/02/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, this bill requires public schools, including charter schools, to schedule at least 60 minutes of recess each school day for pupils in grades kindergarten to six. The bill specifies that pupils may not use computers, tablets, phones, or other personal electronic devices during minutes of recess that fulfill this requirement. The bill defines “recess” as time during which pupils have supervised, unstructured time for physical activity, play, organized games, or social engagement with other pupils. Under the bill, recess may not be withheld from a pupil as a disciplinary or punitive action, unless the pupil’s participation in recess poses an immediate threat to the safety of the pupil or others. In addition, the Department of Public Instruction must annually provide guidance and model professional development related to implementing the recess requirements in the bill. Under current law, school boards and private schools participating in a parental choice program must annually schedule a minimum number of hours of direct pupil instruction. Current law specifies that time spent at recess counts toward this requirement. However, DPI’s current administrative rules state that no more than 30 minutes per day of recess may be counted towards the hours of direct pupil instruction requirement. The bill provides that up to 60 minutes per day of recess may count towards this requirement. LRB-5610/1 FFK:wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 805 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill, effective for the 2026-27 school year, mandates that public schools, including charter schools, provide at least 60 minutes of daily recess for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Recess is defined as supervised, unstructured time for physical activity, play, organized games, or social interaction, and students are prohibited from using electronic devices during this time. Schools cannot withhold recess as punishment unless a student's participation poses an immediate safety threat, and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will offer guidance and training on implementing these requirements. Crucially, this bill increases the amount of recess time that can count towards the state's minimum instructional hour requirements from 30 minutes to 60 minutes per day, a change from current DPI administrative rules that previously limited this credit.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (5)
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Joy Goeben (R),
William Penterman (R),
Last Action
Representative Kurtz added as a cosponsor (on 01/29/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb805 |
| Fiscal Note - SB805: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb805/sb805_dpi.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB805.pdf |
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