AUGUSTA - Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, introduced legislation Thursday to require a minimum weekly amount of outdoor recess for students in grades 6 to 8.
"Most middle school students are at school for over seven and a half hours," said Craven. "It is essential for them to have some freedom to do what they'd like to do, to get some fresh air, to have down time to reduce stress or organize their thoughts. Children find it difficult to stay seated for hours at a time, and going outdoors is a proven way to release pent-up energy and engage with their peers."
LD 156 would require school administrative units to provide at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess for no fewer than three days per week. If there is no opportunity for outdoor recess due to inclement weather or some other reason, the bill directs the school administrative unit to arrange for alternative accommodations.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess is a necessary break in the day for optimizing a child's social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.
More than a dozen Maine students submitted testimony in support of the legislation. A full list of submitted testimony will be available on the Legislatures website in the coming days.
"I am so proud of the students who wrote testimony in support of this bill and shared what recess means to them," said Craven. "These students exercised their rights to have input in their government, and I commend them for their efforts."
The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a work session on the bill later this month.
Craven is serving her sixth nonconsecutive term in the Maine House and previously served three terms in the Senate. She is a member of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee and represents part of Lewiston.