Bill Text: NJ A4044 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requires a public school district to provide a daily recess period for students in grades kindergarten through 5.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Substituted by S1594 (3R) [A4044 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-A4044-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4044

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 12, 2015

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  ERIK PETERSON

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)

Assemblyman  JOSEPH A. LAGANA

District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblyman  DAVID P. RIBLE

District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)

Assemblywoman  MILA M. JASEY

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Diegnan and Wolfe

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires a public school district to provide a daily recess period for students in grades kindergarten through 5.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Education Committee on November 16, 2015, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning recess in public elementary schools and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The Legislature finds and declares that:

     a.     Currently 16% of the nation's children are overweight, and an increasing number of children are developing cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes;

     b.    The United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Education, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommend that school-aged children should participate in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity;

     c.     Participation in a regularly scheduled recess period provides an opportunity for children to engage in essential physical activity and to establish healthy habits early in life;

     d.    Recess also affords a child the opportunity to practice skills such as cooperation, communication, and creativity, and a break from the day's routine improves attention, focus, behavior, and learning in the classroom; and

     e.     Because recess is such a vital component of a comprehensive school physical activity program and the total educational experience for elementary school students, it is therefore in the best interest of the elementary students in this State that they be provided with a daily recess period.

 

     2.    Beginning with the ¹[2014-2015] first full¹ school year ¹following the effective date of this act¹, a public school district shall provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through 5. The recess period shall be held outdoors, if feasible.  ¹A student shall not be denied recess for any reason, except as a consequence of a harassment, intimidation, or bullying investigation pursuant to P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.).  A student may not be denied recess more than twice per week.

     Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit school staff from denying recess for a student on the advice of a medical professional, school nurse, or based on the provisions of a student's 504 plan.

     A school district shall not be required to provide a recess period on a school day in which the day is substantially shortened due to a delayed opening or early dismissal.¹

     The recess period shall not be used to meet the course requirements set forth in N.J.S.18A:35-5.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.