Require 45 Minutes of Recess Each Day in Elementary Schools

 

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all public elementary schools in Minnesota provide students with a minimum of

45 minutes of recess each school day. The Minnesota Department of Education will oversee the implementation and

compliance of this requirement. This bill aims to promote physical, mental, and social health for the children in our

state by guaranteeing daily time for physical activity and recreation.

 

Recess is an important part of a child’s development. Studies show that regular physical activity during the school day

improves physical, social, and mental health, as well as improving attention and cognitive function. Currently, there is

no requirement for recess duration in our state and it can widely vary between schools. By requiring at least 45 minutes

of recess, this bill aims to promote healthy habits and physical activity in students, support students' mental health

by reducing stress and promoting socialization, and ensure sufficient physical activity across all Minnesota elementary

schools. This bill will help create a more productive learning environment for young students as well as promoting

healthy habits for them.

 

 

For the purposes of this act:

“Elementary school” means any public or charter school in Minnesota teaching students in kindergarten through fifth

grade

“Recess” means a regularly scheduled period during the school day that allows students unstructured, supervised outdoor

or indoor free play or physical activity.

“School day” refers to the daily instructional schedule established by the school district or charter school.

This requirement would apply to all public and charter elementary schools within the state

 

 

Implementation of this bill will not require much additional funding. Most schools in the state already have recess

implemented Any necessary adjustments, such hiring additional supervision staff, may be supported through existing

school district budgets. The Minnesota Department of Education may provide small grants, funded through the state’s

education budget, to assist schools which are going through financial trouble in meeting the new requirement.

 

The Minnesota Department of Education will monitor compliance through already established annual school reports. Schools

that fail to meet the 45-minute daily recess requirement will be issued a warning with a corrective action plan required

within 90 days. Continued noncompliance after 1 academic year may result in up to 1% of state education funding being

withheld for that school until compliance is achieved.

 

This bill would take effect on August 1, 2026, to give school districts time to make any needed changes before the next

school year.