Kay, Shrestha, Shimsky, Gonzalez-Rojas, Romero, Lavine, Meeks, Chandler-Waterman, Alvarez, De Los
Santos, Sayegh, Hyndman, Dais, Brown K
MLTSPNSR
Directs the commissioner of education to conduct a survey of recess held in public and charter schools serving students in kindergarten through grade six and to provide any information collected to the governor and the legislature.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8727A
SPONSOR: Jackson TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to directing the commissioner of education to conduct
a survey of recess held in schools serving students in kindergarten
through grade six
PURPOSE::
Directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study of recess held
in elementary schools in kindergarten through grade six
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1: The commissioner of education is directed to conduct a study
of recess held in elementary schools from kindergarten through grade
six. This, study will include a survey collecting data on how many
districts offer recess, its frequency and duration, and whether it
occurs indoors or outdoors. It will also examine whether dedicated spac-
es are provided, if recess is supervised, the challenges schools face in
offering recess, and whether it includes structured or unstructured
play. The goal is to better understand current recess practices and
potential areas for improvement.
Section 2: By December 31, 2025, the commissioner of education must
complete a report detailing the findings of a specific study. The report
will be submitted to the governor, legislative leaders, and key educa-
tion committee members in the Senate and Assembly. Additionally, it
will be published on the New York State Education Department's public
website.
Section 3: Sets effective date.
JUSTIFICATION::•
Recess plays a vital role in the physical, emotional, and social devel-
opment of children, yet its implementation varies widely across school
districts. Directing the commissioner of education to conduct a compre-
hensive study of recess from kindergarten through sixth grade is essen-
tial for gathering critical data on current practices. Understanding
how often recess is offered, its duration, location, supervision, and
structure will help identify disparities and barriers that may hinder
student access to this important break in the school day. By analyzing
this information, the state can develop informed policies that promote
equitable, health-focused, and developmentally appropriate recess oppor-
tunities for all elementary students.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New Bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8727--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 2, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JACKSON, KAY -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT in relation to directing the commissioner of education to conduct
a survey of recess held in schools serving students in kindergarten
through grade six
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The commissioner of education is directed to conduct a
2 survey of recess held in public and charter schools serving students
3 from kindergarten through grade six, which shall include, but not be
4 limited to:
5 (a) information pertaining to the number of schools currently offering
6 recess;
7 (b) the length of such recess and how often it is provided;
8 (c) information pertaining to the location of such recess, including
9 whether such recess is held indoors or outdoors;
10 (d) if schools provide a dedicated space for such recess;
11 (e) if the school's recess is supervised or unsupervised;
12 (f) how many schools have a nurse on premises during the school day in
13 each school building;
14 (g) what the barriers are to providing recess; and
15 (h) if such recess is structured and if students are offered time for
16 unstructured play.
17 § 2. On or before March 1, 2026 or 180 days after this section shall
18 have become a law, whichever is later, the commissioner of education
19 shall provide the information from the survey to the governor, the
20 temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the
21 senate minority leader, the assembly minority leader, and the chair-
22 persons and ranking members of the senate and assembly committees on
23 education. Such information shall also be released on the public website
24 of the New York state education department.
25 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13091-12-5
