AUGUSTA (AP) — A bill intended to prevent obesity among Maine schoolchildren will be up for debate in the state Senate.
The bill came up on Wednesday but senators set it aside for future debate. It would require students from kindergarten to grade five to participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of daily physical activity at school. Teachers could restrict a student’s participation in physical activity if it presents a danger to the student or others.
The state Education Department took a neutral stand on the bill.
The Maine School Nutrition Association supported it, saying the focus of obesity prevention so far has been food, and the bill starts to address the role of physical activity as well.
The Maine School Superintendents Association said it was concerned about another mandate on schools.
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