Legislation

Establishing safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate school hours is a bipartisan effort. The bills listed here are live or likely to be re-introduced. If there's an active bill in your state, contact your elected representatives and ask them to support the legislation. If nothing is happening in your state, lobby your legislators and local officials.

To learn about a bill, click on its number (below), which will take you to the legislature's website.
If we're missing a bill, let us know!
Learn about past legislation, including Congressional efforts.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) also tracks state and federal legislation on later school start times, with periodic updates.

Establishing a time before which schools should not begin mandated instruction is as fundamental as requiring schools to turn on the heat when the temperature falls below a certain level. Local districts would still set their own hours; they need only meet the minimum 'no earlier than' start time that’s proven to be essential to students’ well-being. It’s time for an evidence-based, sound policy discussion that prioritizes student health and achievement. Teaching adolescents at a time they cannot effectively learn is an ineffective use of public funds and undermines our children’s health and their chances for success today and in the future."
- California State Sen. Anthony Portantino,
about his bill to "Start the School Day Later"

Volunteers from Start School Later Maryland pose with Gov. Larry Hogan and legislators at the "Orange Ribbon" bill's signing.

Common Types of School Hours Legislation

1. STUDY BILLS authorize a legislative committee, state agency or special commission to research the school hours issue, report its findings, and make recommendations.

2. INCENTIVE BILLS "reward" (with a designation or actual funding) school districts that take positive action and meet certain standards.

3. GUARDRAIL BILLS establish a statewide minimum standard all districts must meet to ensure that students are provided with safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate school hours.

AASM Legislative Tracker

The dates in brackets indicate when an item was added or updated. As of April 2025 bills related to school starting hours have been introduced in at least 28 U.S. states and territories. 

State Legislation (Pending)

CONNECTICUT

HB05254. Sponsors: Rep. Rutigliano, D. 123 ; Rep. Fishbein, C. 090 ; Rep. Dauphinais, A. 044. Referred to Joint Committee on Education (1/15/25).
HB‑05519. AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR LATER SCHOOL START TIMES FOR THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND CAREER SYSTEM. Sponsors: Rep. Rosario, C. 128. Referred to Joint Committee on Education (1/21/25).
HB‑05663. AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE CHANGES TO SCHOOL START TIMES. Sponsor: Rep. Rader, M. 098. Referred to Joint Committee on Education (1/21/25).
SB‑00638, AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK AND SCHOOL START TIMES. Sponsors: Sen. Somers, H. S18. Referred to Joint Committee on Education (1/16/25).

ILLINOIS

HB2951 A School Late Start Grant - Would amend the School Code to prohibit public high schools from having a start time earlier than 8:45 a.m. Introduced by Rep. Laura Faver Dias on 2/6/25.


MAINE

LD396, An Act to "An Act to Provide for a Later Starting Time for High Schools," sponsored by Senator Matthea Daughtry, with bipartisan co-sponsors would prevent public high schools from starting the school day before 8:30 a.m. REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS. (2/4/25). Amended as "A Resolve, Directing the Department of Education to Develop a Grant Program to Encourage School Start Time Coordination,"directing the Department of Education to award grants to districts working to start secondary schools later than elementary schools. (6/3/25). Passed by both House and Senate (6/4/25). On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence (6/9/25).

MARYLAND

HB1015/SB0468 sponsored respectively by Delegate April Miller (w/Delegates Alston, Arentz, Boafo, Buckel, Fair, Hornberger, Hutchinson, T. Morgan, Nkongolo, Otto, Pippy, Roberson, Schmidt, Valenti, Voge, and Wims) and Senator Joanne Benson respectively in Jan. 2025. These bills would require, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, each public middle school and each public high school to begin instruction not earlier than 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively, unless granted a waiver by the State Board of Education under certain circumstances; and requiring each county board of education and each public charter school to implement a certain public service campaign to raise awareness on sleep deprivation and later school start times. In the House - Hearing Scheduled for 2/24/25 11 a.m., Ways and Means Committee (2/3/25) In the Senate - Hearing Scheduled for 3/5/25 1 p.m., Education, Energy, and Environment Committee

MASSACHUSETTS

HB647, An Act relative to school start times for middle and high school students, introduced by Rep. Paul McMurtry, would establish a minimum length for the school day and minimum number of days of the school year, plus prevent high schools from starting the school day before 8:30 a.m. and prevent middle schools from starting the school day before 8 a.m. These laws shall be implemented by all public schools no later than July 1, 2028, or the date on which a school district’s or charter school’s respective collective bargaining agreement that is operative on January 1, 2026, expires, whichever is later. The laws pertain to charter schools but not rural districts. If the state board of educatio determines that these changes come at costs mandated by the state, local agencies and school districts will be reimbursed. Referred to Joint Committee on Education (2/27/25). Senate concurred (2/27/25) Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2 (6/6/25).
S360. An Act relative to school start times for middle and high school students, introduced by Senator Dylan Fernandes by request of Zorianna Petrosyan), would establish a minimum length for the school day and minimum number of days of the school year, plus withhold state funding for high schools that start the school day before 9 a.m. and middle schools that start the school day before 8:30 a.m. These laws shall be implemented by all public schools no later than July 1, 2028, or the date on which a school district’s or charter school’s respective collective bargaining agreement that is operative on January 1, 2026, expires, whichever is later. The laws pertain to charter schools but not rural districts. If the state board of educatio determines that these changes come at costs mandated by the state, local agencies and school districts will be reimbursed. Referred to Joint Committee on Education (2/27/25). House concurred (2/27/25) Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2 (6/6/25).

NEVADA

State board of education passed a resolution setting 8 a.m. as the earliest allowable high school start time across the state beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Schools who claim "unique challenges" prevent compliance may apply for a waiver. The resolution is next subject to public hearings and local surveys before final approval by the Nevada Legislative Commission. (10/4/23) In November the board announced that although it had initially thought it had the regulatory authority to directly address start timesm, it needed to make the change via statute and plans to seek a bill in the Nevada legislature.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

HB184, sponsored by Peterborough Rep. Jonah Wheeler, would establish a legislative committee to study changing school start times. Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration. Public Hearing 01/15/2025.

NEW JERSEY

A3116/S2012 Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin and Senator Vin Gopal introduced legislation in January 2024, carryovers of previous A3816 and 2462, which propose to push statewide high school start times in New Jersey to no earlier than 8.30 a.m. beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Introduced, referred to respective Education Committees (1/9/24).

NEW YORK

A7398/S2631. Sponsored by Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and Senator Robert Jackson respectively. Requires public elementary schools to start no earlier than eight a.m. and public secondary schools no earlier than eight thirty a.m. Referred to Senate Education Committee (1/22/25).

OREGON

HB 2359 Sponsored by Representative McLaina and Senator Frederick at the request of the Multnomah Youth Commission, this bill would require public school districts and public charter schools to implement a schedule for high schools that does not start regular instructional hours before 8:30 a.m. and directs the Department of Education to provide technical assistance and to award grants related to the implementation. Referred to Education with subsequent referral to Ways and Means. (1/17/25)

PENNSYLVANIA

HB1848, sponsored by Reps. Jill C. Cooper (prime sponsor), and Tim Briggs, Natalie Mihalek, and Tim Brennan, requires the instructional day for secondary schools to begin no earlier than 8:15 a.m., beginning in school year 2026-27, together with community education about the value of sleep and later start times . Referred to House Education Committee (11/14/23). Senate Education Committee Hearing (4/4/24).

TEXAS

HB1691, Relating to the Time at Which Instruction May Begin in Public Schools. Introduced by Rep. Jolanda Jones, this bill would prevent any K-12 instruction before 8 a.m. Introduced (1/26/23).
HB363. Relating to the establishment of a task force to study the effect of delayed school start times on students. Introduced (11/14/22)

WEST VIRGINIA

Senate Bill 465 is to prohibit schools from starting an instructional day any earlier than 7:45 a.m. The bill has 14 sponsors already and is now in the education committee for further discussion. (1/16/24)

State Successes

CALIFORNIA

SB328, (2018), the Start the School Day Later bill, introduced by Sen. Anthony Portantino, "would require the school day for middle schools and high schools to begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m." The legislation was passed by the state legislature in August 2018 but vetoed by outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown. Portantino reintroduced the bill, also numbered SB328, in February 2019. The legislation was co-authored by Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, Senators Scott Wiener and Dr. Richard Pen, and Assemblymembers Todd Gloria and Tasha Boerner Horvath. (Take a look at "School Start Time Research & Information," a downloadable document compiled by Sen. Portantino's office to educate lawmakers and others about the school start time issue. [2/19/19] Passed by the State Senate. (5/21/19) Passed out of Assembly Education Committee and moved on to the Appropriations Committee for consideration (7/10/19). Passed by State Assembly (7/13-14/19). [This was the third time SB328 was considered.. When first introduced in 2017 it passed out of committee but did not receive enough votes to pass out of the legislature. In 2018 the same bill was resubmitted and, while passed by the full legislature, was ultimately vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown, who cited the opposition of one of the state's two major teacher's unions and state school board association and the appropriateness of "local control." Finally, in the 2018-19 session, the California State PTA made the bill its top priority, co-sponsoring it with Start School Later, and this time despite continued and well-funded opposition, it was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on 10/13/19 for enactment beginning July 1, 2022.]

CONNECTICUT

Senate Bill 1, or an Act Concerning Childhood Mental and Physical Health Services in Schools, includes proposals such as increasing funding for social workers in schools, the use of Narcan training for school nurses and teachers, providing Narcan to school districts and offering mental health training to coaches of youth sports. (2/15/22) Signed by Governor 5/24/22 but unclear how it will be used to support later school start times.

FLORIDA

HB733/SB 1112 mandates that middle schools begin classes no earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. It was signed into law in 2023 but not planned to take effect until July 2026, to give schools and families time to prepare.
- Filed by State Rep. John Paul Temple. (2/10/23). Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, cross-filed the proposal (SB 1112) for consideration during the legislative session started March 7 (2/23/23). Passed favorably by committee, who heard a staff analysis report and testimony by John Lopos of the NSF, Dr. Rafael Pelayo, and Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom, with just one nay (3/9/23).
- Passed favorably (11 to 2) in Pre-K-12 Appropriations Committee (3/16/23).
- Passed favorably with CS by House Education Committee (3/23/23).
- SB1112 passed favorably by Senate Education Committee (3/27/23).
- Scheduled for full House vote on Thursday, 3/30/23.
- Passed by House, 92:20. (3/31/23) Passed favorably by Senate Appropriations Committee, 12:1 (4/18/23).
- Passed favorably by Senate Fiscal Policy 15:2 (4/20/23).
- SB1112 replaced by HB733 and scheduled for 3rd reading (5/3/2023).
- Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis (5/12/23).
- In January 2025, Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) filed SB 296 asking that this bill be repealed (1/17/25). Rep. Anne Gerwig, R-Wellington, filed a similar bill, HB261, in the House (1/27/25). On March 19, 2025 HB261 amended, and unanimously approved by committee, to keep the 2023 in place but require reports from districts claiming they are unable to comply describing start times and efforts made to find workable solutions, effectively giving districts an easy way to opt out of compliance (1/20/25). Senate passed amended version (3/27/25). Legislature passed amended version (4/30/25) Signed into law by Governor DeSantis (5/21/25).

INDIANA

Indiana H.B. 1005 (2016) amended the state code to urge the Legislative Council to assign to the appropriate study committee the topic of school start time effects on “student safety, student achievement, and lost instruction time for students.”

LOUISIANA

HCR 72 creates a task force and requests the state Dept. of Education to study school start times and submit written reports of findings and recommendations to the House and Senate educationcommittees not later than Feb. 1, 2025. Introduced 4/16/24 and passed out of House Education Committee 4/24/24. Passed House 4/20/24. Passed Senate 5/23/24. Enrolled 5/15/24. Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House 5/17/24. Enrolled

MARYLAND

Education, Section 7-122 (2016) the Orange Ribbon for Healthy School Hours certification recognizes districts that implement start times that are consistent with the hours recommended by the Maryland Department of Education and specified organizations. (See the Orange Ribbon Tool Kit)
HB883 | SB14 (2014) established a Task Force to Study Safe and Healthy School Hours for Maryland Public Schools. (Read its report.)

NEW MEXICO

HM56 Introduced by Rep. Joy Garrett of Albuquerque, this bill will have the legislative education study committee study high school start times and make recommendations in enacting a statutory high school start time by working with high school students, the public education department and staff from New Mexico school districts and charter schools to develop recommendations on a statutory high school start time; and issuing a report. (Introduced Feb. 17, 2023). Passed on March 18 2023.)

NEW JERSEY

S2485/A3845. Education, P.L.,15 Chapter 96 (2015) an Act Requiring the Department of Education to Conduct a Study on School Start Times. Read the resulting 2017 report.)
S3160 (2018)/A4865 (2019). An Act Establishing a Pilot Program ... on Later School Start Times for High School Students)

PENNSYLVANIA

SR 417 (2018), a resolution introduced by Sen. Andrew Dinniman, directs the Joint State Government Commission to create a committee to conduct a study of issues, benefits and options related to instituting a later start time for secondary schools. The resolution unanimously passed the Senate in October 2018 and a report and recommendations from the Joint State Government Commission were issued in October 2019.

UTAH

House Concurrent Resolution 3.In December 2019 Representative Suzanne Harrison introduced a resolution encouraging districts to look at later high school start times. (12/15/19) Favorable recommendation (unanimous) from House Education Committee (2/3/20). Passed by House (2/11/20). Unanimously passed by Senate and now going to Governor for signature (2/21/20). Signed into law 3/24/2020).

National Legislation

ZZZ's to A's Act (HR8897), sponsored by U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct a study to determine the relationship between school start times and adolescent health, well-being, and performance. (re-introduced June 28, 2024) Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce 96/28/24)

Back to the Future

Bills are often introduced many times before they succeed. To learn about past legislative efforts — including versions of the "ZZZ's to A's Act," a bill first introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.) in 1997 — visit our page about Past Legislation. Some of the ideas might work where you live, or inspire something even better.

Local Acts and Actions

Many municipalities and local governments have passed legislation and resolutions related to school day start times. Visit the page of your state or local Start School Later Chapter to learn more.

Know of a bill that's not here? Contact us!

​Legislation