SB1181

SECTION 1. (a) The legislature finds the prevalence of obesity is at an all-time high among children and adolescents, which can lead to the development of life-long heart disease and diabetes, among other ailments. The legislature further finds that physical activity has also been known to have a beneficial effect on the mental health of young people.

Many health advocates believe that adults acquire and establish patterns of health-related behaviors during childhood and adolescence. Thus, children who are encouraged to engage in regular physical activity in their youth are more likely to continue a pattern of physical activity in adulthood that can contribute to better overall physical health during their lifetime.

A recent study released by the California department of education revealed a direct relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness in California's public school students. According to the study:

(1) Higher achievement was associated with higher levels of fitness for each grade level measured (fifth, seventh, and ninth);

(2) The relationship between academic achievement and fitness was greater in mathematics than in reading, particularly at higher fitness levels;

(3) Students who met minimum fitness levels in three or more physical fitness areas showed the greatest gains in academic achievement at all three grade levels measured; and

(4) Females demonstrated higher achievement than males, particularly at higher fitness levels.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to combat the growing problem of childhood obesity and promote greater physical health among Hawaii's children and adolescents by requiring all public elementary and middle schools to provide physical education instruction as follows:

(1) One hundred minutes every ten school days for grades kindergarten through second;

(2) One hundred twenty minutes every ten schools days for grades three through five; and

(3) Two hundred twenty five minutes per course, per week for middle schools;

provided that beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, at least forty per cent of all elementary schools, grades kindergarten through six, shall employ a physical education teacher who is licensed by the Hawaii teacher standards board.

This Act also makes an appropriation to support the additional resources that schools may require to implement the curriculum changes described in this Act.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A‑ Physical education requirements; elementary and middle schools. Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the course of study in all public elementary and middle schools shall include instruction in physical education, with an emphasis on physical activities that are conducive to the health and vigor of the body and mind, as follows:

(1) One hundred minutes every ten school days for grades kindergarten through second;

(2) One hundred twenty minutes every ten schools days for grades three through five; and

(3) Two hundred twenty five minutes per course, per week for all middle school students;

provided that the physical education instructional minutes required shall be exclusive of recesses and lunch periods; provided further that beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, at least forty per cent of all elementary schools grades kindergarten through six shall employ a physical education teacher who is licensed by the Hawaii teacher standards board."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to carry out the purposes of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007, and shall apply to all public schools beginning with the 2008-2009 academic school year.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1181
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII