Connecticut bill permits school districts to exempt high school athletes from physical education requirements

Original title: AN ACT PERMITTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT REQUIREMENT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.

Last action · April 16, 2026: House Calendar Number 461Sponsors: Eric Berthel and 2 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Local and regional boards of education are authorized to adopt a policy allowing high school students who participate in to receive an exemption from the physical education and wellness graduation requirement, effective July 1, 2026. Students granted this exemption must still complete a minimum of 25 total credits to graduate by fulfilling the requirement with an alternate elective or credit.

Why it matters

High school student-athletes in participating districts gain scheduling flexibility to substitute sports participation for physical education credits while maintaining the mandatory 25-credit graduation threshold.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

high school students

Student-athletes may be granted an exemption from physical education requirements if their school board adopts a policy.

Directly affected

local or regional boards of education

School boards gain the authority to decide whether or not to adopt a policy offering the physical education exemption.

Key Facts

Local or regional boards of education are permitted to adopt a policy exempting students who participate in interscholastic athletics from the physical education and wellness graduation requirement.
Students receiving the athletic exemption must still complete a minimum of 25 total credits in order to graduate from high school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill lower the total number of credits required to graduate from high school?

No. Students who receive the physical education exemption must still complete a minimum of 25 credits to graduate.

Are all school districts automatically required to offer this exemption?

No. The exemption is optional and is permitted only if adopted through a policy by the local or regional board of education.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · on the House floor.

Procedural history

12 actions

Apr 16, 2026House
House Calendar Number 461
Apr 16, 2026House
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
Apr 15, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Passed
Apr 9, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
File Number 559
Apr 9, 2026Senate
Senate Calendar Number 325
Apr 9, 2026Senate
Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

Show 6 earlier actions

Apr 9, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
Apr 2, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26 5:00 PM
Mar 23, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
Mar 18, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Joint Favorable Substitute
Feb 19, 2026Connecticut General Assembly
Public Hearing 02/23
Feb 18, 2026Connecticut General AssemblyCommittee
Referred to Joint Committee on Education

Version history

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