SF 3014

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/28/2025 09:42 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying recess detention; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, section 121A.611.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.611, is amended to read:

121A.611 RECESS AND OTHER BREAKS.

(a) "Recess detention" as used in this chapter means excluding or excessively delaying
a student from participating in a scheduled recess period as a consequence for student
behavior. Recess detention does not include, among other things, providing alternative
recess at the student's choice.

(b) A school district or charter school is encouraged to ensure student access to structured
breaks from the demands of school and to support teachers, principals, and other school
staff in their efforts to use evidence-based approaches to reduce exclusionary forms of
discipline.

(c) A school district or charter school must not use recess detention unless:

deleted text begin (1) a student causes or is likely to cause serious physical harm to other students or staff;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end the student's parent or guardian deleted text begin specifically consents to deleted text end new text begin will be notified in a timely
manner of new text end the use of recess detention; deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin and
new text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end for students receiving special education services, the student's individualized
education program team has determined that withholding recess is appropriate based on the
individualized needs of the student.

(d) A school district or charter school must not withhold recess from a student based on
incomplete schoolwork new text begin unless an academic intervention takes place during the lost recess
time new text end .

(e) A school district or charter school must require school staff to make a reasonable
attempt to notify a parent or guardian within 24 hours of using recess detention.

deleted text begin (f) A school district or charter school must compile information on each recess detention
at the end of each school year, including the student's age, grade, gender, race or ethnicity,
and special education status. This information must be available to the public upon request.
A school district or charter school is encouraged to use the data in professional development
promoting the use of nonexclusionary discipline.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end A school district or charter school must not withhold or excessively delay a
student's participation in scheduled mealtimes. This section does not alter a district or
school's existing responsibilities under section 124D.111 or other state or federal law.