Relating to policies on the recess period in public schools.

HB 2849 requires Texas public school districts to adopt recess policies by May 2026 based on state-developed model guidelines. The policies must specify a minimum amount of weekly unstructured outdoor playtime for students and prohibit withholding recess as discipline. The state health advisory committee must develop these model policies by January 2026, which districts must review and update at least every five years. The law takes effect September 2025, with full implementation required by the 2026-2027 school year.