California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new bill into law that ensures school-aged children in the state will have a mandatory 30-minute recess break starting from the 2024-25 school year. This law aims to promote the well-being of young students by providing them with essential playtime.
On school days with early dismissal, students will still be entitled to a recess break, which will last for a minimum of 15 minutes. Additionally, the new legislation prohibits educators from withholding outdoor recess breaks as a form of disciplinary action, except in cases where there is an immediate threat to the physical safety of a student or their peers.
The bill, which has now become law, was introduced by Senator Josh Newman, a Democrat representing cities in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. Sen. Newman emphasized the importance of recess, especially in the post-pandemic era, stating, "As California finally emerges from the pandemic and its impacts, we are seeing some of the lingering effects on children’s social-emotional development play out in the form of behavioral disruptions which have become increasingly prevalent in classrooms. As schools and students seek to recover from COVID-related educational disruptions, the benefits of the unstructured play and peer-to-peer social interactions offered by recess are more important now than ever."
This new law reflects California's commitment to the well-being and holistic development of its young learners, recognizing the significance of recess as a valuable time for social interaction, physical activity, and overall health.
The 30-minute recess break mandate is poised to positively impact school-aged children throughout the state, fostering a healthier and more balanced educational environment.