HF 390 (LSB 1370YH (3) 90)

HOUSE FILE 390

BY  EHLERT

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to physical activity requirements applicable to students enrolled in public schools and accredited nonpublic schools in kindergarten through grade five.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.11, subsection 6, paragraph b, subparagraph (1), Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   (1)  All In addition to the physical education curriculum required under subsection 3, physically able students in kindergarten through grade five who are not suspended or expelled shall be required to engage in a physical activity for a minimum of thirty consecutive minutes per school day.  A school shall not prevent a student from engaging in a physical activity as required in this subparagraph unless one of the following applies:
   (a)  The student poses a danger to the health or safety of a school employee, contractor, or another student.
   (b)  Due to inclement weather, the school relocates physical activity that was to take place outdoors.
   (c)  The school dismisses classes early due to unforeseen circumstances, including inclement weather and loss of utilities services.
   (d)  The student is absent from school, including due to illness or a medical appointment, during the time of the school day that the school provides for the student’s class to engage in physical activity.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to physical activity requirements applicable to students enrolled in public schools and accredited nonpublic schools in kindergarten through grade five.
   Current law requires all physically able students in kindergarten through grade five to engage in a physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes per school day, which may include physical education. The bill provides that physical education shall not be used to meet this physical activity requirement. The bill requires that the 30 minutes of required physical activity be consecutive.
   The bill provides that the physical activity requirement shall not apply when a student is suspended or expelled. The bill also provides that a school shall not prevent a student from engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity per school day unless the student poses a danger to the health or safety of certain specified persons, the school relocates physical activity that was to take place outdoors due to inclement weather, the school dismisses classes early due to unforeseen circumstances, or the student is absent from school, including due to illness or a medical appointment, during the time of the school day that the school provides for the student’s class to engage in physical activity.