HB2849 - Relating to policies on the recess period in public schools.

  89R12817 RDR-F     By: Allen, Simmons, Jones of Harris, et al. H.B. No. 2849       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to policies on the recess period in public schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is   amended by adding Sections 28.0045 and 28.0046 to read as follows:           Sec.   28.0045.     MODEL RECESS POLICIES. The Department of   State Health Services School Health Advisory Committee established   under Section 1001.0711, Health and Safety Code, shall develop   model policies for the recess period during the school day that   encourage constructive, age-appropriate outdoor playtime. The   model policies must include guidelines for outdoor equipment and   facilities on public school campuses that maximize the   effectiveness of outdoor physical activity.           Sec.   28.0046.     RECESS POLICY. (a)   The board of trustees of   each school district shall:                 (1)     after reviewing the model recess policies   developed under Section 28.0045 and the policy recommendations of   the local school health advisory council provided under Section   28.004(l), adopt a recess policy based on those model policies and   recommendations; and                 (2)     review and, if necessary, revise the recess policy   at least every five years.           (b)  The recess policy must specify:                 (1)     the required number of minutes of weekly   unstructured playtime; and                 (2)     whether a student's recess time may be withheld as   a form of student discipline.           (c)     Each school district campus subject to the district   recess policy adopted under Subsection (a) shall implement the   recess policy.          SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the   Department of State Health Services School Health Advisory   Committee shall develop model recess policies as required by   Section 28.0045, Education Code, as added by this Act.          (b)  Not later than May 1, 2026, the board of trustees of each   school district shall adopt a recess policy as required by Section   28.0046, Education Code, as added by this Act.          (c)  Not later than the beginning of the 2026-2027 school   year, each school district campus subject to a school district   recess policy adopted under Section 28.0046, Education Code, as   added by this Act, shall implement the adopted policy.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.