1 Expansion of Play-Based Curriculum. Amend RSA 193-E:2-a, II-a to read as follows:

II-a. Instruction in support of kindergarten standards shall be engaging and shall foster children's development and learning in all domains including physical, social, cognitive, and language. Educators shall create a learning environment that facilitates high quality, child-directed experiences based upon early childhood best teaching practices and play-based learning that comprise movement, creative expression, exploration, socialization, and music. Educators shall develop literacy through guided reading and shall provide unstructured time for the discovery of each child's individual talents, abilities, and needs.

2 New Paragraph; Recess Physical Education Requirement. Amend RSA 189:10 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

IV. The school board shall ensure that recess is included in the physical education curriculum for all students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, with the exception of schools where eighth grade is a part of the high school. Elementary schools and middle schools, as described in RSA 189:25, may count recess as instructional time for pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade.

(a) For the purposes of this paragraph, recess shall be defined as physical activity that promotes fitness and well-being which shall include unstructured play outside, unless weather conditions negatively impact the safety of physical activity taking place outside.

(b) For the purposes of this paragraph, recess shall not include any time considered instructional time for a physical education class.

(c) For the purposes of this paragraph, recess shall not involve the use of electronic devices by students, including but not limited to cell phones, laptops, tablets, and video game consoles or devices.

(d) A pupil shall not be denied recess by a member of the school's staff unless the pupil's participation poses an immediate threat to the physical safety of the pupil or to the physical safety of one or more of the pupil's peers. If a pupil's recess period is denied for safety concerns, school staff shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats and minimize exclusion from recess to the greatest extent possible.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Expansion of Play-Based Curriculum. Amend RSA 193-E:2-a, II-a to read as follows:

II-a. Instruction in support of standards for kindergarten through third grade shall be engaging and shall foster children's development and learning in all domains including physical, social, cognitive, and language. Educators shall create a learning environment that facilitates high quality, child-directed experiences based upon early childhood best teaching practices and play-based learning that comprise movement, creative expression, exploration, socialization, and music. Educators shall develop literacy through guided reading and shall provide unstructured time for the discovery of each child's individual talents, abilities, and needs.

2 New Paragraph; Recess Physical Education Requirement. Amend RSA 189:10 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

IV. The school board shall ensure that recess is included in the physical education curriculum for all students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, with the exception of schools where eighth grade is a part of the high school. Elementary schools and middle schools, as described in RSA 189:25, may count recess as instructional time for pupils in kindergarten through eighth grade.

(a) For the purposes of this paragraph, recess shall be defined as physical activity that promotes fitness and well-being which shall include unstructured play outside, unless weather conditions negatively impact the safety of physical activity taking place outside.

(b) For the purposes of this paragraph, recess shall not include any time considered instructional time for a physical education class.

(c) For the purposes of this paragraph, recess shall not involve the use of electronic devices by students, including but not limited to cell phones, laptops, tablets, and video game consoles or devices.

(d) A pupil shall not be denied recess by a member of the school's staff unless the pupil's participation poses an immediate threat to the physical safety of the pupil or to the physical safety of one or more of the pupil's peers. If a pupil's recess period is denied for safety concerns, school staff shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats and minimize exclusion from recess to the greatest extent possible.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.