VirginiaVirginia schools would provide regular physical activity for students
Local school boards would provide or make physical activity available to students throughout the regular school year, with set minimums for younger students.
What it does
Schools would provide these students at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day, or an average of 100 minutes a week. The text sets a goal of 30 minutes daily or 150 minutes weekly.
Schools would make physical activity available to students in grades six through 12, with a goal of averaging at least 150 minutes a week.
Argument forMore regular movement could help elementary students stay active during the school year, while the rule bars using activity time as routine discipline.
Argument againstSchools may have to adjust schedules or activities to meet the daily movement minimum for younger students, which could be difficult where time or space is limited.
More detail
Local school boards would provide daily physical activity to students in kindergarten through grade five. It covers all students in kindergarten through grade five during the regular school year. A student may be kept out of the activity only if it would pose a health or safety risk. The program applies during the regular school year; the minimum may be met daily or as a weekly average.
Local school boards would make a physical activity program available to students in grades six through 12. It covers all students in grades six through 12. The program may combine physical education, sports, recess, or other activities the school board considers suitable. School boards would run the program during the regular school year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Feb 4Continued to next session in Education (Voice Vote)
- Feb 3Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Jan 28Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB873)
- Jan 27House subcommittee offered
- Jan 23Assigned HED sub: K-12 SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on EducationMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102658DIntroduced
EducationPublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics