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Oklahoma Bill: SB 1481

Schools; requiring certain schools to provide students in certain grades with certain amount of recess per day. Effective date. Emergency.

Topics

Children's Health & School Nutrition

Bill Information

MAHA Approved

Summary

Bill Summary

SB 1481 requires Oklahoma public elementary schools to provide at least 40 minutes of recess each school day for students in full‑day pre‑K through 5th grade, and at least 30 minutes for 6th graders in elementary settings, as a condition of accreditation. Schools may split this into two 20‑minute periods; recess must be supervised, unstructured play time, cannot be counted toward PE requirements, and cannot be taken away as discipline, with the mandate beginning July 1, 2026.


Why It Matters to the Make America Healthy Again Movement

The MAHA Movement supports this bill because it doubles daily recess for young students, protects it from being used as a punishment, and insists it remains true free‑play time instead of being folded into PE or academics. By tying recess minutes to accreditation and explicitly preserving unstructured, screen‑free play, SB 1481 embodies MAHA’s view that movement, outdoor time, and social play are fundamental parts of a healthy school day, not expendable extras.


Introduced

02/02/2026

In Committee

03/17/2026

Passed

03/17/2026

Sponsors

Ally Seifried

Ally Seifried

Republican Senator (OK)

Chad Caldwell

Chad Caldwell

Republican Representative (OK)

Activity

02/02/2026

First Reading

02/02/2026

Authored by Senator Seifried

02/03/2026

Second Reading referred to Education

02/18/2026

Coauthored by Representative Caldwell (Chad) (principal House author)

02/24/2026

Reported Do Pass Education committee; CR filed

02/26/2026

Placed on General Order

03/17/2026

General Order, Considered

03/17/2026

Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 44 Nays: 0

03/17/2026

Referred for engrossment

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