Current Legislation as of March 2018
State lawmakers increasingly recognize the need for safe, healthy, and developmentally-appropriate school hours, and they're working toward that goal in a variety of ways.
Bills to study, incentivize, or mandate healthy school start times have been introduced in at least 14 states--and 4 of them have passed. The bills listed below as "Live! State Legislation" are still under consideration in state legislatures (to see past legislation, click here). If there is a live bill in your state, contact your elected representatives and ask them to support the legislation. (Don't know who represents you? Find out here.) To learn about a bill's status or receive alerts about its progress, click on the bill number, which will take you to a page on the state legislature's website. If we're missing a live bill, let us know!
Bills to study, incentivize, or mandate healthy school start times have been introduced in at least 14 states--and 4 of them have passed. The bills listed below as "Live! State Legislation" are still under consideration in state legislatures (to see past legislation, click here). If there is a live bill in your state, contact your elected representatives and ask them to support the legislation. (Don't know who represents you? Find out here.) To learn about a bill's status or receive alerts about its progress, click on the bill number, which will take you to a page on the state legislature's website. If we're missing a live bill, let us know!
Live! State LegislationMAINE
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Live! Congressional LegislationTAKE ACTION! Print this 8.5" x 11" sheet of postcards for you and your friends, family and neighbors. Scroll down for instructions and links for looking up the names and addresses of your members of Congress.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced into the 115th Congress on April 28, 2017, HB 2245 by U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-California), the ZZZ’s to A’s Act directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to study, report on and make recommendations related to the "relationship between school start times and adolescent health, well-being, and performance." Says Lofgren: "We know that as kids become teens their biology keeps them from getting to sleep as early, which can make it harder for them to wake up early in the morning. This legislation will help local school districts recognize and use new information about the importance of sufficient sleep and the impact that school start times can have on adolescent health and performance." Learn more about the bill. And then take action! 1. Ask your Congressperson to co-sponsor the ZZZ's to A's Act 2. Ask your Senators to introduce the ZZZ's to A's Act in the Senate. CALL: Look up the legislator's phone number via the links above or call the switchboard for the U.S. Capitol is 202-224-3121 WRITE: Compose your own letter, or print and mail the postcards above. The message is already on the front of the card. All you need to do is address the card, add a stamp (.34 cents) and include your name and return address (so the Member of Congress knows you are a voter in his/her district). You can mail the card to the legislator's office in Washington, D.C., or in your home district. School Time Successes!
Start School Later Maryland members with Gov. Larry Hogan at the "Orange Ribbon for Healthy School Hours" bill signing. (2016)
INDIANA
Back to the FutureBills 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 U.S. Representative 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 ActionsMany 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.
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"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, in a newspaper op-ed about why he introduced SB328, a bill to "Start the School Day Later." (March 2017) Learn more by watching the video above.
Know of a bill that's not here? Contact us!
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