Healthy Recess for Learning Act
Sponsored By: Representative Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
Introduced
Summary
60 minutes of daily physical activity for students. The bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to encourage local school districts to plan for that time and to count recess and unstructured play as part of it.
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- Students: Defines “physical activity time” to include designated recess and physical education and cites research that regular activity and free play improve attention, behavior, memory, focus, and academic performance.
- Local school districts: Encourages local educational agencies that receive Title I Part A funds to add to their plans how they will provide at least 60 minutes of activity each regular school day and lets districts decide how to implement it.
- Programs and funding: Expands eligible ESEA activities to explicitly include sustained recess and unstructured physical activity as fundable programs or activities, broadening what districts can support with federal programs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More daily recess and activity for students
If enacted, the bill would encourage Title I school districts to give students at least 60 minutes of physical activity each regular school day. It would let ESEA-funded programs include at least 60 minutes of recess or unstructured play. If a district finds it appropriate, the district would have to describe in its LEA plan how it will provide the time. The bill does not provide new federal funding and does not make the policy mandatory.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
MI • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/27/2026
Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
PA • R
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
FL • R
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov