Bill > HB2217

This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish specific requirements for recess and lunch periods in Pennsylvania schools, effective July 1, 2027. A "school entity," which includes school districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, and various types of charter schools, must provide at least thirty minutes of recess daily for students in full-day kindergarten through fifth grade, and fifteen minutes for half-day kindergarten. Furthermore, all students from full-day kindergarten through twelfth grade are to receive at least thirty consecutive minutes for lunch each school day. Important provisions clarify that students cannot be forced to use their lunch time for extra coursework unless they request it, and lunch cannot be withheld as punishment or for make-up work, extra credit, or testing. Students can be excused from lunch periods for religious reasons, and while recess can be withheld for disciplinary reasons related to student conduct codes, instructional time in subjects not assessed by the state cannot be reduced to provide recess unless instructional time in state-assessed subjects is also reduced proportionally. The bill also defines "kindergarten" as a one-year program before first grade and "recess" as a break from structured instruction for physical activity, unstructured play, or social interaction, distinct from lunch or physical education.

Education

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2217