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A5266
ASSEMBLY, No. 5266
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 2026
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman� AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
���� Requires school districts to provide certain minimum
periods of lunch and recess for certain students.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act
concerning lunch and recess periods for public school
students, amending
P.L.2018, c.73, and
supplementing chapter 33 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1. Section 1 of P.L.2018, c.73
(C.18A:35-4.31) is amended to read as follows:
���� 1. a.
[
Beginning with
the first full school year following the effective date of this act
, a
]
A
public school district shall provide a daily recess period of at least 20
minutes for students in grades kindergarten through
[
5
]
eight
. The recess period
shall be held outdoors, if feasible.� A student shall not be denied recess for
any reason, except as a consequence of a violation of the district's code of
student conduct, including a harassment, intimidation, or bullying investigation
pursuant to P.L.2002, c.83 (C.18A:37-13 et seq.).� If a student is denied
recess, except under conditions set forth in subsection b. of this section, the
student shall be provided restorative justice activities during the recess
period.� A student may not be denied recess more than twice per week.
���� A school district shall not be
required to provide a recess period on a school day in which the day is
substantially shortened due to a delayed opening or early dismissal.
���� The recess period shall not be
used to meet the course requirements set forth in N.J.S.18A:35-5.
���� b.��� Nothing in this section
shall be construed to prohibit school staff from denying recess for a student
on the advice of a medical professional, school nurse, or based on the
provisions of a student's 504 plan.
���� c.���� For purposes of this
section, "restorative justice activities" means activities designed
to improve the socioemotional and behavioral responses of students through the
use of more appropriate, and less punitive, interventions thereby establishing
a more supportive and inclusive school culture.
(cf: P.L.2018, c.73, s.1)
���� 2. (New section) A school
district with students in grades kindergarten through eight, or any combination
thereof, shall provide on each day that school is in full session, a daily
lunch period of at least 30 seated minutes for students enrolled in the
district.
���� 3. This act shall take effect
immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the
date of enactment.
STATEMENT
���� This bill requires school
districts to provide a daily lunch period of at least 30 seated minutes to
students in grades kindergarten through grade eight, on a day in which school
is in session for a full day.
���� The bill also requires school
districts to provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in
grades kindergarten through grade eight who are enrolled in the district. Under
current law, a school district is required to provide a daily recess period of
at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through grade five.
This bill would require a school district to provide recess to students in
grades kindergarten through eight.