Existing law requires the adopted courses of study for grades 1 to 6, inclusive, and for grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to include instruction in specified areas of study, including physical education. Existing law imposes specified minimum instructional time requirements for physical education of pupils. Existing law authorizes certain exemptions from these physical education requirements.

This bill would require a pupil in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to be granted an accommodation in connection with engaging in any physical activity components of a physical education course during a period of religious fasting upon the submission to the school principal of written notification from the pupil’s parent or guardian, if the pupil is less than 18 years of age, or from the pupil, if the pupil is 18 years of age or older, that the pupil is participating in religious fasting. The bill would, for purposes of calculating compliance with physical education instructional time requirements, require a pupil to be credited with instructional time for any time for which the pupil was granted an accommodation in connection with engaging in any physical activity components of a physical education course pursuant to that religious exemption process, upon completion of alternative assignments or activities by the pupil. By imposing new obligations on local educational agencies, the bill would create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.