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HB 1507 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Guaranteed daily recess for students

AI-generated

requiring schools to provide a minimum amount of time for recess per day.

Requires public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy guaranteeing 45 to 60 minutes of daily recess for kindergarten through sixth grade, counted as instructional time and not withheld as punishment.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires public school districts, school administrative units (SAUs), and public charter school boards to develop a policy requiring a minimum amount of recess time per day. This bill also qualifies recess as instructional time in the school day, and provides districts, SAUs, and charter school boards the authority to alter required recess time in certain circumstances.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“All public school districts, school administrative units, and charter school boards shall develop a policy which establishes at a minimum, a guaranteed amount of recess time per day of 45 to 60 minutes for students in grade levels kindergarten through sixth grade.”
RSA 194:15-d
“All public school districts, school administrative units, and charter school boards may develop a policy which exceeds the guaranteed amount of recess time per day of 45 to 60 minutes for students in grade levels kindergarten through sixth grade.”
RSA 194:15-d
“"Recess" shall be defined as physical activity that promotes fitness and well-being which must include unstructured peer to peer play outside, unless weather conditions negatively impact the safety of physical activity taking place outside.”
RSA 194:15-d
“"Recess" shall not involve the use of electronic devices by students unless required by a student's individualized education program (IEP) or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.”
RSA 194:15-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Megan MurrayDPrime
  • Rep. Linda Harriott-GathrightDRanking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Public testimony

187 signed in online · 65 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

ForRecess is essential for children's development and learning

AgainstMandate would reduce time for academics and other programs

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Statement in Support of HB 1507 Legislation to Increase Recess in Elementary Schools Chair and Members of the Committee, My name is Melanie Tarver, and I am here today in strong support of this bill to increase recess time for elementary school students in New Hampshire.…”
— Melanie Tarver, Dallas · Say Yes to Recess - Texassupports
“I would ask for an amendment as this proposes to end at 6th grade. I think the middle school students, in 7th and 7th grade, also need recess time.”
— Melissa Penson-Mesa, Merrimacksupports
“HB1507 is extremely valuable and necessary for our children, teachers, and schools. Any logistical changes will pay dividends. As a parent of 2, this is one of the most important issues for me, because it is so fundamental to the health and wellbeing of children.…”
— Chesley Marvin, Nashuasupports
“I feel this is TOO MUCH time to REQUIRE schools to fit into their day. I send my kids to school to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. I would rather have the hour home to play outside with friends.…”
— Heather Taylor, Moultonboroughopposes
“I feel that school should be a place of education. Parents bear the responsibility for their children's physical and mental well-being.…”
— Natalie Buelvas, Rochesteropposes
“Opposition Testimony for HB 1570 I strongly oppose HB 1570, which seeks to grant governmental budget authority for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 22, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–2
    Overall
    89% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration2:17:06–2:23:166m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration1:49:57–1:51:161m 19slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 23
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 11:20 am GP 232
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Jan 22, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/22/2026 (Vote 16-2; CC) HC 5 P. 5
  5. Feb 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.