AN ACT PERMITTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT REQUIREMENT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.

Senate
sSB222 / File No. 559 1

General Assembly File No. 559
February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No. 222

Senate, April 9, 2026

The Committee on Education reported through SEN.
MCCRORY, D. of the 2nd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee
on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT PERMITTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT
REQUIREMENT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE
IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (f) of section 10-221a of the general statutes is 1
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2
2026): 3
(f) (1) Any student who presents a certificate from a physician, 4
physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse stating that, in 5
the opinion of the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice 6
registered nurse, participation in physical education is medically 7
contraindicated because of the physical condition of such student, shall 8
be excused from the physical education requirement, provided the 9
credit for physical education may be fulfilled by an elective. 10
(2) Any student who participates in interscholastic athletics may be 11
exempt from the physical education and wellness requirement under 12
sSB222 File No. 559

sSB222 / File No. 559 2

subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of this section, provided such 13
exemption is permitted pursuant to a policy adopted by the local or 14
regional board of education of the school district in which such student 15
is enrolled. Any student who receives such exemption shall still be 16
responsible for completing a minimum of twenty-five credits in order to 17
graduate from high school or be granted a diploma under this section. 18
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026 10-221a(f)

ED Joint Favorable Subst.

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sSB222 / File No. 559 3

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill, which allows local and regional boards of education (BOEs)
to waive the physical education and wellness graduation requirement
for students who participate in interscholastic athletics, has no fiscal
impact. Because the graduation credit requirement remains unchanged,
no changes in BOE staffing levels are anticipated.
The Out Years
State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None

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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 222

AN ACT PERMITTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER AN
EXEMPTION FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT
REQUIREMENT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE
IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.

SUMMARY
This bill allows local or regional boards of education (school boards)
to adopt a policy to exempt students who participate in interscholastic
athletics from the physical education and wellness graduation
requirement (currently, one credit).
By law, students must complete at least 25 credits to graduate from
high school, including at least (1) nine credits in humanities, including
civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics; (3) one credit in health and safety education ; (4) one
credit in world languages ; and (5) a half credit in personal financial
management and financial literacy (CGS § 10-221a). The bill retains the
requirement that students complete 25 credits, so students who receive
the physical education exemption must complete another credit in its
place.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2026
COMMITTEE ACTION
Education Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 34 Nay 12 (03/18/2026)