Sponsored by:
Senator EDWARD DURR
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Eliminates requirements for public school students to take health and physical education courses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning health and physical education courses in the public schools and revising various parts of the statutory law.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.18A:35-5 is amended to read as follows:
18A:35-5. a. Each board of education shall conduct as a part of the instruction in the public schools courses in health, safety and physical education, which courses shall be adapted to the ages and capabilities of the [pupils] students in the several grades and departments. To promote the aims of these courses any additional requirements or rules as to medical inspection of school children may be imposed.
b. A student may elect to enroll in a course conducted pursuant to this section. No student shall be required to enroll in a course conducted pursuant to this section.
c. No State or local requirements for high school graduation or grade promotion shall mandate participation in a course conducted pursuant to this section.
(cf: N.J.S.18A:35-5)
2. N.J.S.18A:35-7 and N.J.S.18A:35-8 are repealed.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill makes the health, safety, and physical education course conducted by public schools pursuant to N.J.S.18A:35-5 an elective course. Under the bill, a student may elect to enroll in, but may not be required to enroll in, such a course. The bill also prohibits any State or local requirements for high school graduation or grade promotion that mandate participation in this course.
The bill also repeals provisions of law related to course requirements for health, safety, and physical education. N.J.S.18A:35-7 requires every capable public school student enrolled in grades one through 12 to participate in a health, safety, and physical education course. This participation is required for promotion and graduation. N.J.S.18A:35-8 requires that the health, safety, and physical education courses include 150 minutes of instruction for each regular school week. This bill repeals both of these laws.