Kansas Bill: SB 339

Bill Summary

SB 339 requires all public school districts to provide elementary students (K–5) with at least 30 minutes of daily organized recess that counts as part of the official school term, and it also requires at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day (which can include PE, recess, and other structured movement). The bill prohibits schools from limiting or withholding recess or other physical activity as a disciplinary measure (except when safety is at issue) and directs the State Board of Education to establish and administer an annual Kansas state fitness test, modeled on national fitness assessments, for students in grades 1–12, with exemptions for students who cannot safely participate.

Why It Matters to the Make America Healthy Again Movement

The MAHA Movement supports this bill because it embeds daily movement—recess plus moderate activity—into the structure of the school day instead of treating it as expendable, reflecting MAHA’s view that physical activity is a core health intervention, not a reward. By banning the use of recess deprivation as punishment and adding a statewide fitness test, SB 339 pushes Kansas schools toward a culture where regular movement and basic physical fitness are expected outcomes alongside academics, directly aligning with MAHA’s lifestyle‑first health priorities for kids.