RI General Assembly passes recess legislation

June 19, 2016 6:52 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Recess could soon be a legal right in Rhode Island.

The General Assembly recently passed legislation requiring public elementary school students have at least 20 minutes of play every day.

Parents’ groups have been lobbying for this for months now, saying recess helps kids’ brain development and academic performance. “Parents in general are really grateful and I know kids are really grateful that they’re so close to being able to have free play recess everyday,” said Tracy Ramos with Parents Across Rhode Island. “It’s a really big deal and a huge hurdle."

The governor has a few days before she’ll have to decide whether to sign the legislation into law or veto it.