89R12817 RDR-F
By: Allen 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.