Turner-Diegnan Bill Requiring School Districts To Provide Daily Recess for Students in Grade Kindergarten to 5 Signed Into Law

Trenton – Senate legislation, sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Patrick Diegnan Jr., to require public school districts to provide a daily recess period to elementary school students was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.

“I applaud Governor Murphy’s support to bill, S-847. Playing helps children adjust to school and improves their readiness to learn,” said Senator Turner (D-Hunterdon/Mercer). “Students are under constant pressure between exams, homework, and the amount of time they should be in the classroom. Now we will provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes that will also help them to socialize with other children and to learn how to communicate and develop their creativity.”

“We are thankful for the opportunity our children will get to interact with other children,” said Senator Diegnan (D-Middlesex).  “Our children needed to socialize more and in today’s world it is seemingly harder and harder for our children to find time just to play and to be kids. The new law will address this common sense goal.”

The new law will require public school districts to provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through 5. The recess period would be required to be held outdoors, if feasible. Under the law, a student could not be denied recess for any reason, other than as a consequence of a violation of the district’s code of student conduct, including a harassment, intimidation, or bullying investigation. Additionally, a school district should avoid denying a student recess more than twice per week. A school district will not be required to provide a recess period on a substantially shortened school day. Recess will not be permitted to be used to meet the current statutory requirements regarding the provision of health, safety, and physical education courses in public schools.

The law will take effect in the 2019-2020 school year.

On December 31, 2013, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement highlighting the importance of a recess period for students in grades K to 5. According to the APP, recess is a vital part of children’s development and serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated work in the classroom. The report states that recess provides cognitive, social, emotional and physical benefits that may not be appreciated with the decision to diminish it in favor of more time for class work.