Recess for elementary school students; require.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE RECESS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Education

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Chism
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and has no effect.

Recess for Elementary School Students

This bill requires local public schools to provide a minimum of twenty minutes of physical activity per day for elementary school students.

What This Bill Does

Requires local public schools to provide a minimum of twenty minutes of physical activity per full school day for elementary school students.
Defines physical activity as unstructured play outside, unless weather conditions make it impractical, then indoor spaces must be used if feasible.

Who It Names or Affects

Elementary school students in local public schools.

Terms To Know

Physical Activity: Unstructured play outside unless weather conditions make it impractical, then indoor spaces must be used if feasible.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and therefore has no effect.
It does not specify what happens if indoor space is also impractical due to weather conditions.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (S) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

Recess for elementary school students; require.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2521 *SS36/R1147* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R1147
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Chism

SENATE BILL NO. 2521

AN ACT TO REQUIRE RECESS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS; AND 1
FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 3
SECTION 1. (1) Each local public school district shall 4
integrate for elementary school students a minimum of twenty (20) 5
minutes of physical activity per full school day. 6
(2) As used in this section, physical activity: 7
(a) Must include unstructured play outside, unless 8
weather conditions negatively impact reasonable execution of 9
physical activity outside. In such event, indoor spaces shall be 10
made available for physical activity, unless it is immediately 11
impracticable to do so. 12
(b) Does not include: 13
(i) Time during which a student is permitted to 14
use an electronic device; 15
(ii) Time spent by a student in a physical 16
education class; or 17
(iii) Walking to and from class. 18
S. B. No. 2521 *SS36/R1147* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1147
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)
ST: Recess for elementary school students;
require.
(3) A student shall not be withheld from participating in 19
physical activity as a form of punishment unless such student is 20
an immediate threat to themselves or others. 21
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 22
and after July 1, 2026. 23