Mansfield Times

State Representatives Melanie Miller and Tom Young presented their case to the House Education Committee on Tuesday, advocating for the passage of House Bill 304. This proposed legislation aims to allow high school students in Ohio to meet physical education requirements through participation in club sports or other structured athletic activities.

The bill suggests that students could substitute two full seasons of club sports or complete 120 hours of organized physical activities outside the traditional school setting. "House Bill 304 is about recognizing the full spectrum of student activity—whether it's a child learning teamwork through soccer or gaining focus and creativity during recess. By expanding the PE waiver and ensuring consistent breaks for our youngest learners, we’re supporting both academic success and whole-child wellness," said Representative Miller. She emphasized that structured physical activity plays a crucial role in education.

For an activity to qualify as a club sport under this bill, it must be sanctioned by the school but not governed by an interscholastic league or conference. Additionally, participants should be under 19 years old. Other eligible athletic activities must involve organized instruction from a qualified instructor outside school.

The bill also proposes that schools provide kindergarten through eighth-grade students with two daily recess periods totaling 30 minutes each—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

House Bill 304 will undergo further hearings within the House Education Committee before any potential advancement.