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Bill

HR 9952

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to encourage local educational agencies to provide students with at least one hour of physical activity time during each school day, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Tom Barrett and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would require or strongly encourage local districts to provide at least one hour of daily physical activity for K-12 students.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9952

Overview

HR 9952, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require and encourage local educational agencies (LEAs) to provide students with at least one hour of physical activity time during each school day. The bill is sponsored by members of the House with Kim Schrier and Tom Barrett listed as co-sponsors. As of the latest action, it has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a federal framework to ensure daily physical activity time for K-12 students.
  • Promote improved student health, fitness, and well-being, with potential knock-on benefits for academic engagement and overall school climate.
  • Align federal policy with public health and physical education goals by integrating sustained daily activity into the school day.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Amendment to ESEA: The bill would insert a requirement or strong encouragement for LEAs to provide at least one hour of physical activity time within each school day. Specific mechanisms (mandatory vs. incentive-based provision, and whether it applies to all schools or certain grades) would be defined in the text, including any regulatory or reporting requirements.
  • Scope of Activity Time: The provision likely contemplates structured physical activity, which could include physical education, recess, or integrated physical movement, while clarifying acceptable forms of activity and potential exemptions or accommodations.
  • Compliance and Reporting: Provisions may establish reporting or accountability measures for LEAs to demonstrate compliance, potentially through school plan submissions, state reporting systems, or other data collection.
  • Coordination with Local Practices: The bill would recognize the role of LEAs in implementing daily activity, potentially permitting local customization while meeting the hour-long standard.

Affected Parties

  • Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Primary implementers responsible for scheduling and delivering the required physical activity time.
  • Students: Beneficiaries who would receive at least one hour of daily physical activity.
  • Schools and School Districts within the United States subject to ESEA requirements.
  • State education agencies: Potentially involved in monitoring, reporting, and supporting LEA implementation as part of ESEA compliance and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce (as of 2026-07-27).
  • Potential Timelines (to be detailed in the bill): If enacted, timelines could include a phase-in period for implementation, annual reporting deadlines, and review periods at the state or federal level to assess compliance.
  • Next Legislative Steps: Committee consideration, potential amendments, full House debate and vote, and eventual conference negotiations if there is a companion measure in the Senate or differences between chambers.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Health and Academic Outcomes: Increased daily physical activity could contribute to better student health metrics and may influence concentration, attendance, and academic performance, though actual outcomes would depend on implementation quality.
  • Resource and Scheduling Implications: Schools may need to adjust bell schedules, facilities use, staffing, and budgets to accommodate a full hour of activity each school day.
  • Equity and Access: The policy could help standardize access to physical activity across districts, but effective implementation may require addressing disparities in facilities or staffing.

Notes and Next Steps

  • The exact statutory language, definitions of “physical activity time,” and any exemptions or accommodations will be critical to interpreting the bill’s reach.
  • Monitoring, funding, and enforcement details will shape how readily LEAs can implement the requirement and what support they may receive.
  • Updates from committee hearings, amendments, and floor actions will provide a clearer picture of the bill’s final form and feasibility.

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

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