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Bill

SB 111

AN ACT relating to physical activity in schools.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Adams and 6 co-sponsors

SB 111 requires each Kentucky school to adopt wellness policies guaranteeing daily physical activity and recess, plus a structured school-based decision making framework.

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Bill Summary · SB 111

Overview

SB 111 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky) establishes requirements for school-based decision making and, prominently, mandates wellness policies in schools to ensure daily physical activity and recess. The bill emphasizes student health and structured opportunities for physical activity as part of school policy and governance.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create and implement a district-wide framework for school-based decision making (SBDM) that engages parents, teachers, and principals in setting policies and managing resources at each school.
  • Require each school to adopt a wellness policy focused on daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and to ensure recess opportunities for students, with specific provisions for elementary and secondary levels.
  • Increase accountability and transparency around school governance, including reporting, elections, and data-driven planning tied to educational goals.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 1):
    • Clarifies terms: minority status, recess, school, teacher, and parent for purposes of policy and governance.
  • School-based decision making (SBDM) framework (Section 1, subsections 2–4, and 3):
    • Local boards must adopt a policy enabling SBDMs at each participating school.
    • School councils are formed with two parent members, three teacher members, and the principal (with potential proportional increases). Parent reps cannot be district employees or related to district staff and must avoid conflicts of interest.
    • Minority representation: schools with 8%+ minority enrollment must have at least one minority member on the council; procedures for nominating and electing minority members are outlined.
    • Roles and processes: councils set school policies aligned with district goals, manage committees, determine meeting frequency, and ensure openness of meetings (with certain statutory exceptions).
    • Personnel decisions at the school level: councils participate in hiring and governance, subject to specified procedures, nondisclosure requirements for principal-council consultations in principal vacancies, and protections for council terms and training.
    • Training and financial allocations: the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) provides PD; a formula will allocate district funds to schools for council operations and development.
    • Oversight and accountability: procedures for complaints, potential removals for violations, and the possibility of exemptions or alternative models upon approval.
    • Exemption and default rules: districts with only one school are exempt from SBDM; exemptions possible via majority faculty and parent votes.
  • Wellness and physical activity requirements (Section 1, subsection (11)):
    • Schools must develop and implement a wellness policy incorporating daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
    • Recess requirements:
    • For K-5: minimum 30 minutes of recess per full instructional day; 15 minutes on days with early release.
    • For 6–12: may include up to 30 minutes of recess; minimum of 15 minutes if recess is offered (not to exceed 30 minutes, or 150 minutes per week).
    • Recess protections: cannot usually deny recess; exclusions require addressing safety concerns with efforts to minimize removal from recess.
    • Optional use of supervised outdoor physical exercise for discipline (where practicable).
    • Mandatory annual assessment of each child’s physical activity level using an approved tool; KDE to provide resources and annual reporting on activity offerings to legislators.
    • Policy alignment with federal/state/local requirements and available resources.

Who is affected

  • Local boards of education and district administrators implementing SBDM policies.
  • School councils (and principals) at participating elementary and secondary schools.
  • Teachers, parents, and minority representation at schools meeting certain enrollment thresholds.
  • Students, who would gain guaranteed daily opportunities for physical activity and structured recess.
  • KDE and the Legislature receive annual data and reports on physical activity initiatives.

Timelines and procedural aspects

  • Wellness policy adoption and implementation: required before the first student attendance day of the 2026-2027 school year (Section 2).
  • KDE to provide annual activity data and resources; reporting to Legislative Research Commission by November 1 each year.
  • Training requirements for new and continuing school council members with specified timelines after election.
  • Exemption processes for districts or schools that meet certain conditions, including voter and faculty approvals.

Bottom line

SB 111 aims to institutionalize school-based governance through SBDMs while mandating substantive student wellness measures, notably guaranteed recess and daily physical activity, to promote healthier, more active school environments in Kentucky. It also formalizes training, reporting, and equitable representation within school councils.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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