Bills › 91st General Assembly

SF 34Died when the session ended · February 12, 2025

Relating to physical activity requirements applicable to students in kindergarten through grade five

Sponsored by Sen. Charlie McClintock (R)

Topics:K–12 education

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2025
  3. Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
  4. Next: Passes the Senate
  5. Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
  6. Next: Passes the House
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will have to do their required daily physical activity all at once instead of in separate chunks. This law also says that regular physical education classes can no longer count toward these required minutes. Schools cannot stop students from participating unless there is bad weather, an emergency, or if the student is a danger to others.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to physical activity requirements applicable to students in kindergarten through grade five. Current law requires all physically able students in kindergarten through grade five to engage in a physical activity for a minimum of minutes per school day, which may include physical education. The bill provides that physical education shall not be used to meet this physical activity requirement. The bill requires that the minutes of required physical activity be consecutive. The bill provides that the physical activity requirement shall not apply when a student is suspended or expelled. bill also provides that a school shall not prevent a student from engaging in minutes of physical activity per school day unless the student poses a danger to the health or safety of certain specified persons, the school relocates physical activity that was to take place outdoors due to inclement weather, the school dismisses classes early due to unforeseen circumstances, or the student is absent from school, including due to illness or a medical appointment, during the time of the school day that the school provides for the student’s class to engage in physical activity.

Full bill text2

Senate subcommittee

Named January 28, 2025. On February 12, 2025 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

2 written public comments to its subcommittee: February 12, 2025 (2) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§256.11

How the Code works3

Lobbying

5 for · 3 against · 6 undecided · Who →

Family tree

91st General Assembly

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

  • HF 390 Relating to physical activity requirements applicable to students enrolled in public schoo…
    90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 611 · nearly identical
    Cleared committee

Similar bills this General Assembly

  • HF 263 Relating to physical activity requirements applicable to students enrolled in public schoo…
    91st General Assembly · In committee
    Very similar
  • SF 2006 Relating to physical activity requirements applicable to students enrolled in public schoo…
    91st General Assembly · Approved by committee
    Very similar

Matched by wording or an identical title.