ATLANTA – State Representative Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge) today announced that House Bill 1283 was recently signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on Monday, May 9, 2022. Sponsored by Rep. Douglas, HB 1283 will require schools to offer recess to K-5 students each school day.
“It is time for our students to get moving and learn how to play with each other again,” said Rep. Douglas. “Before HB 1283 was signed into law, our state only required schools to offer recess once a week; however, many elementary school students spend the majority of their school day in one classroom, which limits their ability to make new friends and build social skills. Recess is a crucial part of a child’s learning experience, and this legislation ensures that elementary school students can have a chance to enjoy recess.”
Starting in the 2022-2023 school year, HB 1283 will require Georgia’s public schools to offer recess to students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Recess will not be required on any school day in which a student has had physical education or for other reasons. Each local education board will be able to establish its own written policies on recess.
Rep. Douglas has worked on this issue for several years and has introduced similar legislation during previous legislative sessions to require public elementary schools to offer recess.
For more information on HB 1283, please click here.
Representative Demetrius Douglas represents the citizens of District 78, which includes portions of Clayton and Henry counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Special Committee on Election Integrity and the Banks & Banking, Insurance, Health & Human Services, Intragovernmental Coordination, MARTOC and Motor Vehicles committees.
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