SB 578 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Recess and play-based curriculum rules

(Second New Title) relative to play-based curriculum and limitations on recess periods for pupils.

Removes the requirement that educators develop literacy through guided reading, limits withholding pupils from recess to instances posing a physical safety risk, and requires schools to minimize pupil exclusion from recess.AI-generated

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · May 20, 2026

✓Introduced
✕Senate
House
Governor
Law

Analysis

This bill expands play-based curriculum from kindergarten until third grade and requires recess for all students from kindergarten until the eighth grade. The bill also prohibits withholding students from recess as a means of punishment or as a requirement to complete school work.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

37 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

22% support78% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Now our Senate is micromanaging RECESS as part of "cherishing" education. This is nonsense.”

— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

2026-01-209:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing
2026-03-3010:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
2026-05-0410:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
Jan 13, 2026Sen==CANCELLED== Hearing: 01/13/2026, Map Room, SL, 10:00 am; SC 45
Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Map Room, SL, 10:15 am; SC 46
Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0509s, 02/19/2026, Vote 4-1; SC 6
Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0509s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026SenSen. Fenton Floor Amendment # 2026-0846s, AF, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0509s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 5 P. 127
Mar 30, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/30/2026 10:20 am GP 232
May 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/04/2026 10:30 am GP 232
May 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1806h 05/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 19 P. 21
May 6, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1806h: AF DV 12-319 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 68
May 14, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1945h (NT) (Rep. McDonnell): AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 69
May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1945h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 69
May 14, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Ward, Sullivan, Altschiller; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 21, 2026HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Noble): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 10
May 21, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Noble, Peternel, Freeman, M. Murray 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 10
May 26, 2026Sen==CANCELLED== Committee of Conference Meeting: 05/26/2026, 10:30 am, Room 154, GP
May 27, 2026SenCommittee of Conference Meeting: 05/27/2026, 10:30 am, Room 154, GP
Jun 1, 2026HouseConference Committee Report: Not Filed HJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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