SB 222 — AN ACT PERMITTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT REQUIREMENT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.

Senate General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

222559 February Session, 2026 LCOSubstitute Senate Bill No.

1288222 ReferredSenate, toApril 9, 2026 The Committee on EDUCATIONEducation Introducedreported by:through SEN.

(ED)MCCRORY, AND. ACT PERMITTING INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS TO BE USED AS CREDIT TOWARD THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR PURPOSES OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

of the 2nd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

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

(2) AAny localstudent orwho regionalparticipates boardin ofinterscholastic educationathletics shallmay grantbe aexempt studentfrom credit toward meeting the physical education requirementand forwellness suchrequirement student'sunder participationsSB222 in/ anFile interscholasticNo. athletic program.

LCO559 1 sSB222 File No.

1288559 1subdivision (3) of 2subsection Raised(d) Billof No.this section, provided such exemption is permitted pursuant to a policy adopted by the local or regional board of education of the school district in which such student is enrolled.

222Any Thisstudent actwho receives such exemption shall takestill effectbe asresponsible followsfor andcompleting shalla amendminimum theof followingtwenty-five sections:credits in order to graduate from high school or be granted a diploma under this section.

SectionThis 1act Julyshall 1,take 2026effect 10-221a(f)as Statementfollows ofand Purpose:shall amend the following sections:

ToSection permit1 studentsJuly to1, use2026 participation10-221a(f) inED interscholasticJoint athleticsFavorable toSubst. count as credit toward satisfying the physical education requirement of the high school graduation requirements.

[ProposedsSB222 deletions/ areFile enclosedNo. in brackets.

Proposed559 additions2 aresSB222 indicatedFile by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.

1288559 2The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of 2the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill, which allows local and regional boards of education (BOEs) to waive the physical education and wellness graduation requirement for students who participate in interscholastic athletics, has no fiscal impact.

Because the graduation credit requirement remains unchanged, no changes in BOE staffing levels are anticipated.

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None sSB222 / File No.

559 3 sSB222 File No.

559 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 222 AN ACT PERMITTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER AN EXEMPTION FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CREDIT REQUIREMENT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.

SUMMARY This bill allows local or regional boards of education (school boards) to adopt a policy to exempt students who participate in interscholastic athletics from the physical education and wellness graduation requirement (currently, one credit).

By law, students must complete at least 25 credits to graduate from high school, including at least (1) nine credits in humanities, including civics and the arts;

(2) nine credits in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;

(3) one credit in health and safety education;

(4) one credit in world languages;

and (5) a half credit in personal financial management and financial literacy (CGS § 10-221a).

The bill retains the requirement that students complete 25 credits, so students who receive the physical education exemption must complete another credit in its place.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2026 COMMITTEE ACTION Education Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 34 Nay 12 (03/18/2026) sSB222 / File No.

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