SB 654

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Provides that all public schools shall provide daily time for supervised, unstructured, child-directed play for all students in kindergarten through grade 8. Specifies further requirements concerning play time. Provides that play time shall not count as a course of physical education. Provides that play time shall be considered clock hours for purposes of the Code. Provides for the inclusion of students with disabilities in play time. Provides that public schools shall prohibit the withholding of play time as a disciplinary or punitive action, except when a student's participation in play time poses an immediate threat to the safety of the student or others. Effective July 1, 2021. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes. Provides that play time shall be for all students in kindergarten through grade 5 (rather than for all students in kindergarten through grade 8). Requires play time to be for at least 30 minutes (rather than 60 minutes) on any school day that is 5 clock hours or longer in length. Provides that, for any school day less than 5 clock hours, play time shall be at least one-tenth (rather than one-fifth) of a day of attendance. Removes the requirement that, to the extent appropriate, students with disabilities shall participate in play with students who do not have a disability; provides instead that play time must comply with a student's applicable individualized education program (IEP) or federal Section 504 plan. Effective July 1, 2021. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (State Board of Education) As amended by HA 1, SB 654 will have no fiscal impact annually to the State Board of Education. The amendment will have an unknown fiscal impact on school districts. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (State Board of Education) As amended by HA 1, SB 654 will have no fiscal impact annually to the State Board of Education. The amendment will have an unknown fiscal impact on school districts.