Local Education Agencies - As enacted, increases, from 130 minutes per full school week to 40 minutes per school day, the minimum amount of physical activity required for elementary school students; establishes additional requirements for the minimum amount of physical activity required for elementary school students. - Amends TCA Title 49.
HB 85 increases Tennessee's required physical activity for elementary students from 130 minutes per school week to 40 minutes per school day. It mandates Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide two 30-minute activity periods daily - morning and afternoon - excluding time spent in physical education classes or using electronic devices. The bill specifies that activity must include unstructured outdoor play when weather permits and prohibits withholding activity as punishment. This directly affects all elementary students in Tennessee public schools, effective July 1, 2025.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Last action May 13, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 1, 2025
How they voted
20–1
Passed
Total votes 21
Apr 1, 2025
D
Democratic3
100% Yea
R
Republican18
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
12
Committee
14
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/10/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (20-1)
house
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Education Committee to 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/18/2025
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/18/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/11/2025
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Education Committee
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/4/2025
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Education Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Scott Cepicky
RRepublican
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