Revision: May 14, 2026, 3:16 p.m.
SB 578 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
02/19/2026 0509s
14May2026... 1945h
2026 SESSION
26-2251
12/09
SENATE BILL 578
AN ACT relative to play-based curriculum and limitations on recess periods for pupils.
SPONSORS: Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Rep. Freeman, Belk. 8; Rep. Peeples, Hills. 14; Rep. Rice, Hills. 38
COMMITTEE: Education
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Modifies play-based curriculum by removing the requirement that educators develop literacy through guided reading.
II. Limits withholding pupils from recess unless a pupil's participation poses a physical safety risk to the pupil or one or more of the pupil's peers.
III. Requires that school staff make all reasonable efforts to minimize a pupil's exclusion from recess to the greatest extent possible.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
02/19/2026 0509s
14May2026... 1945h 26-2251
12/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to play-based curriculum and limitations on recess periods for pupils.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Modification 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 [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; Studies; Limitation on Denial of Recess Periods Established. Amend RSA 189:10 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
IV. 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 August 1, 2026.