RI House Passes Bill Requiring Recess

RHODE ISLAND—A bill that would require schools to provide at least 20 minutes of recess during the school day and bans the practice of denying recess as punishment has passed the House of Representatives.

A companion bill in the Senate has yet to be passed, but the passage Tuesday of Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty's bill is being celebrated by parents and educators alike thanks to increasing awareness of the negative consequences of a school day with no free play.

Fogarty, in prepared remarks, said that she had been approached by several parents that some schools were taking recess away as punishment.

“In addition to serving as an important break from the rigors of academics, playtime is a necessity for childhood social and cognitive development," Fogarty said, noting that the state Department of Education has no standards for recess, leaving these decisions up to individual school districts.

"This legislation will bring equity across all the school systems. No pun intended, but this evens the playing field," the South Kingstown legislator said.

The legislation, which is cosponsored by Representatives Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence), Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) and Blake A. Filippi (I-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly), now heads to the Senate, where similar legislation (2016-S 2669) has been introduced by Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence).