Reps. Melanie Miller, Tom Young Provide Testimony to Include Club Sports in Student’s Physical Education Requirements
COLUMBUS – State Representatives Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) and Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.) testified before the House Education Committee on Tuesday in support of House Bill 304 –legislation to allow club sports to fulfill high school physical education requirements.
The legislation will allow high school students to substitute two full seasons of club sports or 120 hours of other structured athletic activities to meet their high school physical education requirements.
“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 Miller. “This bill affirms that structured physical activity, inside and outside the classroom, is a vital part of a student’s education.”
To qualify as a club sport, the sport must be sanctioned by the school, not regulated by an interscholastic league or conference, and is limited to participants under the age of 19. Other athletic sports must be organized physical activities taught by an instructor outside of the school setting.
House Bill 304 will also require schools to provide 30 minutes of recess time to students in kindergarten through eighth grade in both the morning and afternoon.
The legislation now awaits additional hearings in the House Education Committee.
