All Roll Calls
Yes: 345 • No: 19
South CarolinaH 3195126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-10, RELATING TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO AS TO EXPAND SUCH REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE STUDENTS IN FOUR-YEAR-OLD KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND RECESS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-10-30, RELATING TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITY DIRECTORS AND VOLUNTEERS, SO AS TO INCLUDE NONCERTIFIED STAFF AND MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-29-80, RELATING TO REQUIRED SUBJECTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSEWORK, SO AS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE ATTEMPTING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS; AND TO REDESIGNATE ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 10, TITLE 59 AS "PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY.
Sponsored By: Patrick B. Haddon (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More PE and recess, arts time protected
Beginning July 1, 2028 (for the 2028–2029 school year), schools must meet new PE and recess rules. Students in four-year-old kindergarten through grade 5 get at least 150 minutes each week of PE and physical activity, with most time in PE. Grades 6–8 get at least 60 hours each school year, with most time in PE. Every 4K–5 student also gets at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess daily. Schools may pause outdoor recess for up to three straight school days for space or staffing, and must hold it indoors in bad weather. Recess does not count toward PE and cannot be taken away more than two days in a week. Schools cannot cut arts classes taught by certified arts specialists to add this time. A certified Physical Education Activity Director plans the program. PE must meet state standards, and class sizes cannot exceed the program’s average student‑to‑teacher ratio.
PE waivers for advanced middle schoolers
Beginning July 1, 2028, local school boards may exempt some 7th and 8th graders from middle school PE. This applies when students take ninth‑grade or higher courses for high school credit off campus, or when 8th graders take three or more high school units. The school must make reasonable efforts to fit PE before granting a waiver. If waived, the board should encourage health or lifestyle instruction instead.
Schools can use staff and volunteers for PE
Beginning July 1, 2028, districts may let noncertified staff or adult volunteers help run or supervise structured physical activities, including daily recess. The district superintendent must approve their use. Volunteers must have appropriate liability insurance. The Physical Education Activity Director must give the principal a yearly report on added student physical activities.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Patrick B. Haddon
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Carl L. Anderson
Democrat • House
Jeff Bradley
Republican • House
William M. "Bill" Chumley
Republican • House
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Wendell G. Gilliard
Democrat • House
Charles V. Hartz
Republican • House
William M. "Bill" Hixon
Republican • House
Thomas R. "Randy" Ligon
Republican • House
Jason Luck
Democrat • House
Melissa Lackey Oremus
Republican • House
Fawn M. Pedalino
Republican • House
Thomas E. "Tommy" Pope
Republican • House
Michael F. Rivers, Sr.
Democrat • House
Bill Taylor
Republican • House
J. David Weeks
Democrat • House
Robert Q. Williams
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/13/2026
(Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools)Adopt Amendment 1A Amendment number 1A
Yes: 102 • No: 11
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
(Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools)2nd Reading
Yes: 41 • No: 2
House vote • 2/13/2025
(Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools)Passage of Bill
Yes: 101 • No: 3
House vote • 2/13/2025
(Unstructured and self-directed recess in public schools)Passage of Bill
Yes: 101 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Act No. 202
6/2/2026legislatureEffective date 05/18/26
6/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/18/2026GovernorRatified R 245
5/15/2026legislatureConcurred in House amendment and enrolled
5/14/2026SenateRoll call Yeas-102 Nays-11
5/13/2026HouseReturned to Senate with amendments
5/13/2026HouseSenate amendment amended
5/13/2026HouseDebate adjourned
5/12/2026HouseDebate adjourned
5/7/2026HouseScrivener's error corrected
5/6/2026legislatureRead third time and returned to House with amendments
4/30/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-41 Nays-2
4/29/2026SenateRead second time
4/29/2026SenateAmended
4/29/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
4/29/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education
3/25/2026SenateScrivener's error corrected
2/18/2025legislatureReferred to Committee on Education
2/18/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
2/18/2025SenateUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
2/13/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-101 Nays-3
2/13/2025HouseRead second time
2/13/2025HouseAmended
2/13/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Gilliard, Rivers, Anderson
2/13/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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