,,ii  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #aech  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #aj1 #bjbc,mr4    
,he9ri* introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0  
read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on  
,heal?1 ,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions  
,a ,,bill  ,to au?orize ! ,secret>y (   
,education to aw>d grants = outdoor     
le>n+ spaces & to develop liv+          
s*ooly>ds4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act   
may be cit$ z ! ,liv+ ,s*ooly>ds ,act ( 
#bjbc4  #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds !     
foll[+3 7#a7 ,city plann+ & urban       
developm5t (t5 disconnect communities f 
natural sy/ems1 su* z =e/s1 wat]ways1 & 
wildlife habitats4 ,exi/+ gre5 spaces 9 
our cities are n ev5ly di/ribut$ & !    
pres5ce ( neighborhood p>ks & nature-ri*
 s*ool gr\nds are /rongly correlat$ )   
income 9 mo/ cities across ! ,unit$     
,/ates4 ,?is means t communities ) !    
fewe/ res\rces usually also h ! lea/    
access to nature 9 _! neighborhoods & on
 _! s*ool gr\nds4  7#b7 ,communities    
across ! ,nation are fac+ m extreme     

wea!r1 includ+ flood+1 excessive heat1 &
 =e/ fires4  7#c7 ,environm5tal         
su/a9ability has become a high priority 
9 plann+ & design & %\ld be incorporat$ 
9 con/ruction & r5ovation ( s*ools      
across urban1 suburban1 & rural         
di/ricts4  7#d7 ,s*ool di/ricts are #a (
 ! l>ge/ l& manag]s 9 almo/ e city & t[n
 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,! *oices s*ools &  
di/ricts make ab\t h[ !y manage _! l&   
directly impacts /ud5ts' daily          
exp]i5ces1 m5tal & physical heal?1 &    
le>n+ outcomes4 ,s*ools c b5efit _!     
/ud5ts1 educators1 & surr\nd+           
communities ?r\gh ?\ghtful design & use 
( _! gr\nds1 pay+ m9d to local          
ecological1 social1 & cultural context4 
7#e7 ,on-campus gre5 space t c be       
describ$ z liv+ s*ooly>ds c h           
environm5tal & ecological resili5ce     
b5efits1 su* z /ormwat] managem5t1      
ra9wat] collection1 c>bon seque/ration1 
air quality improvem5t1 wildlife habitat
 re/oration1 mitigation ( extreme heat1 
& ecological resili5cy4  7#f7 ,! am\nt (

 "t ! av]age ,am]ican *ild sp5ds        
outdoors is 9 con/ant decl9e4 ,accord+  
to ! ,kais] ,family ,f\ndation1 *ildr5  
ages #h ?r\gh #ah n[ sp5d on av]age #g4e
 h\rs p] day 9 front ( a scre54 ,m ?an  
#bh1jjj1jjj *ildr5 d n live )9 a        
#aj-m9ute walk ( a p>k4  7#g7 ,liv+     
s*ooly>ds provide a div]se1 engag+1     
multi-facet$ play & social environm5t t 
enc\rages collaborative & coop]ative    
play & social int]action4 ,add+ liv+    
gre5 spaces to s*ooly>ds has be5 l9k$ to
 p]si/5t improvem5ts 9 recess behavior4 
,liv+ & gre5 spaces h be5 %[n to r$uce  
bully+1 anti-social behavior1 & /ud5t   
misconduct1 z well z support            
trauma-in=m$ c>e & education4 ,evid5ce f
 a case /udy 9 ,philadelphia correlates 
! trans=mation ( a s*ooly>d1 f asphalt  
to a liv+ s*ooly>d1 ) a r$uction 9 /ud5t
 susp5sions4  7#h7 ,*ildr5 sp5d a       
significant portion ( _! day on _! s*ool
 campuses1 am\nt+ to at lea/ #hdj       
in/ructional h\rs p] ye> f grades #a to 
#c1 inclusive1 & up to #a1jhj h\rs =    

grades #i to #ab1 inclusive4  7#i7      
,remov+ pavem5t & add+ %ade trees 9     
places t are accessible to /ud5ts & /aff
 dur+ ! s*ool day provides protection f 
high temp]atures & r$uces urban heat    
isl&s 9 ! surr\nd+ community1 :ile also 
mak+ s*ool gr\nds m com=table = bo?     
/ud5ts & /aff4  7#aj7 ,a liv+ s*ooly>d t
 is p>k-l ) trees & o!r plant+s provides
 a peaceful1 com=table1 & ae/hetically  
pleasant environm5t = all /ud5ts1 & has 
be5 %[n to increase physical activity1  
enhance bra9 developm5t & function1     
improve vision & sleep1 boo/ immune     
sy/em heal?1 & r$uce risk ( infecti\s & 
*ronic disease among *ildr54 ,^! spaces 
h be5 %[n to improve m5tal heal? & !    
ability to pay att5tion = bo? *ildr5 &  
adults4 ,^! spaces also h be5 %[n to    
r$uce /ress1 anxiety1 & depressive      
symptoms1 /r5g!n a s5se ( belong+1 &    
re/ore a s5se ( calm & well-be+ &       
positive social behavior among /ud5ts & 
/aff4  7#aa7 ,an on-campus liv+ & gre5  
space1 :i* c include a s*ool g>d51 is a 

fundam5tal compon5t ( a s*ool environm5t
 int5d$ to include & emp[] /ud5ts1 giv+ 
!m a s5se ( place & community4  7#ab7   
,*ildr5 %\ld be giv5 ! opportunity to   
reflect & embrace _! local ecological1  
social1 & cultural context 9 bo?        
recreational & in/ructional sett+s4     
7#ac7 ,liv+ s*ooly>ds provide cle>]     
context & h&s-on tea*+ res\rces =       
/&>ds-bas$ in/ruction 9 life & physical 
sci5ces1 heal? & nutrition1 social      
sci5ce1 ma!matics1 read+ & creative     
writ+1 visual & p]=m+ art1 & o!r subject
 areas4  7#ad7 ,outdoor activity is     
ess5tial to le>n+1 heal?1 & ! ov]all    
quality ( /ud5t life4  #c4 ,def9itions  
,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,,esea t]ms ,! t]ms   
educational s]vice ag5cy1 elem5t>y      
s*ool1 local educational ag5cy1 &       
second>y s*ool h ! mean+s giv5 ! t]ms 9 
section #haja ( ! ,elem5t>y & ,second>y 
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ghja74  7#b7 ,eligible entity ,! t]m   
eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a local    
educational ag5cy2  7,b7 an educational 

s]vice ag5cy2 or  7,c7 a nonpr(it       
organization t has exp]tise 9 outdoor   
le>n+ spaces or outdoor education work+ 
9 p>tn]%ip ) a local educational ag5cy4 
7#c7 ,liv+ s*ooly>d ,! t]m liv+         
s*ooly>d-- 7,a7 means a p>k-l outdoor   
environm5t at an elem5t>y s*ool or      
second>y s*ool t /r5g!ns local          
ecological sy/ems1 provides a wide range
 ( h&s-on le>n+ res\rces1 & fo/]s nature
 play & social opportunities :ile       
enhanc+ heal? & well-be+ ( *ildr5 &     
adults2 &  7,b7 may include climate     
appropriate trees & plants1 cultivat$   
g>d5s1 outdoor meet+ & ga!r+ areas1 &   
o!r non-petroleum-bas$ elem5ts design$  
by1 & =1 ! /ud5ts & ! surr\nd+          
community4  7#d7 ,outdoor le>n+ space ,!
 t]m outdoor le>n+ space means an       
outdoor physical space on s*ool gr\nds t
 is-- 7,a7 d$icat$ to meet or conduct   
curriculum-ti$ activities2  7,b7 a      
d$icat$ space = outdoor classrooms t has
 seat+ & tables in/all$ = /ud5ts &      
tea*]s to meet regul>ly2 or  7,c7 a     

place t is us$ :5 ! ne$ arises to take  
le>n+ outdoors4  7#e7 ,secret>y ,! t]m  
,secret>y means ! ,secret>y (           
,education4  #d4 ,grant program =       
outdoor le>n+ spaces  7a7 ,au?orization 
( program  7#a7 ,res]vation = ,bureau ( 
,indian ,education ,f ! am\nt           
appropriat$ "u subsection 7d7 to c>ry   
out ?is section = a fiscal ye>1 !       
,secret>y %all res]ve #e p]c5t = !      
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior to c>ry out ?is  
section = s*ools op]at$ by ! ,bureau (  
,indian ,education or s*ools t are      
op]at$ by an ,indian tribe1 or an       
organization controll$ or sanction$ by  
an ,indian tribal gov]nm5t1 = ! *ildr5 (
 t tribe "u a contract )1 or grant f1 ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior "u ! ,indian     
,self-,det]m9ation ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4  
#ecba et seq47 or ! ,tribally ,controll$
 ,s*ools ,act ( #aihh 7#be ,u4,s4,c4    
#beja et seq474  7#b7 ,au?orization ,!  
,secret>y %all aw>d grants to eligible  
entities to enable ! eligible entities  
to plan1 design1 & con/ruct outdoor     

le>n+ spaces4  7#c7 ,priorities ,9 aw>d+
 grants "u ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all
 give priority to-- 7,a7 eligible       
entities t s]ve /ud5ts n less ?an #dj   
p]c5t ( :om are eligible = a free or    
r$uc$ price lun* "u ! ,ri*>d ,b4        
,russell ,national ,s*ool ,lun* ,act    
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq471 :i*      
calculation1 9 ! case ( high s*ools s]v$
 by ! eligible entity1 may be complet$  
us+ comp>able data f ! s*ools t fe$ into
 ! high s*ools2 &  7,b7 eligible        
entities t are-- 7i7 rural high-ne$     
local educational ag5cies ) locale codes
 #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc2 or  7ii7   
educational s]vice ag5cies s]v+ rural   
high-ne$ local educational ag5cies )    
locale codes #cb1 #cc1 #da1 #db1 or #dc4
  7#d7 ,grant am\nts ,a grant aw>d$ "u  
?is section %all be 9 an am\nt equal to 
n less ?an #be1jjj & n m ?an #ajj1jjj = 
ea* s*ool to be s]v$ by ! eligible      
entity ) ! grant4  7b7 ,applications ,an
 eligible entity t desires to receive a 
grant "u ?is section %all submit an     

application to ! ,secret>y at su* "t1 9 
su* mann]1 & accompani$ by su* in=mation
 z ! ,secret>y may require1 includ+ !   
foll[+3 7#a7 ,an id5tification ( ea*    
public elem5t>y s*ool & second>y s*ool  
s]v$ by ! eligible entity t w receive   
assi/ance ) grant fund+ provid$ "u ?is  
section4  7#b7 ,! timeframe ne$$ to     
prep>e outdoor le>n+ spaces & !         
timeframe to beg9 us+ outdoor le>n+     
spaces4  7#c7 ,! p]c5tage ( /ud5ts !    
eligible entity s]ves :o are eligible = 
a free or r$uc$ price lun* "u ! ,ri*>d  
,b4 ,russell ,national ,s*ool ,lun* ,act
 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq474 ,su*    
calculation1 9 ! case ( high s*ools s]v$
 by ! eligible entity1 may be complet$  
us+ comp>able data f ! s*ools t fe$ into
 ! high s*ools4  7#d7 ,! project$ numb] 
( s*ools t w\ld p>ticipate 9 ! outdoor  
le>n+ spaces4  7#e7 ,! project$ numb] ( 
/ud5ts & /aff t w\ld p>ticipate 9 !     
outdoor le>n+ spaces on a daily basis4  
7#f7 ,a description ( h[ ! eligible     
entity w assi/ /ud5ts & /aff t may ne$  

inclem5t wea!r clo?+ to p>ticipate 9 !  
outdoor le>n+ spaces4  7#g7 ,a          
description ( h[ ! eligible entity w    
consid] access ne$s 9 compliance ) !    
,am]icans ) ,disabilities ,act ( #aiij  
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaja et seq474  7c7    
,use ( funds  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,an eligible
 entity t receives a grant "u ?is       
section %all use ! grant funds to plan1 
design1 & con/ruct outdoor le>n+ spaces4
 ,su* outdoor le>n+ spaces %all comply )
 at lea/ #a ( ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,!         
in/allation or plant+ ( %ade trees1     
position$ on s*ool gr\nds :]e /ud5ts c  
access !m dur+ ! s*ool day4 ,plant+     
locations = %ade trees %all be select$  
to improve ! !rmal com=t ( outdoor le>n+
 spaces4  7,b7 ,replacem5t ( asphalt1   
concrete1 or pavem5t1 includ+ a         
consid]ation ( mat]ials t d n reta9     
heat1 & soil condition+4  7,c7 ,!       
in/allation ( electricity & outlets or  
portable g5]ators t b5efits /ud5t le>n+4
  7,d7 ,! in/allation ( outdoor         
furniture1 su* z seat+ & tables or "w   

surfaces1 = /aff & /ud5ts4  7,e7 ,!     
availability ( /orage = outdoor tea*+   
mat]ials or wagons or c>ts = ea* tea*]  
to transport supplies to & f ! outdoor  
le>n+ spaces4  7,f7 ,! in/allation (    
outdoor wifi nodes1 & potable *>g+      
/ations4  7,g7 ,! in/allation ( outdoor 
food s]vice facilities = s]v+1 eat+1 &  
wa/e managem5t4  7,h7 ,! in/allation (  
s*ool g>d5 infra/ructure & plant+s1 su* 
z rais$ g>d5 b$s1 pott+ soil1 spigots1  
wat]l9es1 irrigation & in/allation (    
native1 l[ wat]1 & food-produc+ plants t
 may help block ! w9d or provide %ade4  
7,i7 ,! in/allation ( op5-end$1 p]man5t 
canopies or %elt]s t protect /ud5ts f   
sun1 ra91 or w9d dur+ outdoor           
activities4  7,j7 ,! in/allation (      
op5-sid$1 p]man5t outdoor /ructures1 )  
or )\t l>ge retractable doors4  7#b7    
,cap on am\nt us$ = play & recreation   
am5ities ,an eligible entity t receives 
a grant "u ?is section may use n m ?an  
#ej p]c5t ( ! grant funds = ! co/s      
associat$ ) ! in/allation ( play &      

recreation am5ities4 ,9 ! in/allation ( 
play & recreation am5ities1 an eligible 
entity %all place an emphasis on        
am5ities made ( non-petroleum-bas$1     
natural mat]ials4  7d7 ,au?orization (  
appropriations ,!re are au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ to c>ry out ?is section     
#be1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbd   
?r\gh #bjbh4  #e4 ,liv+ s*ooly>d        
projects  7a7 ,plann+ grants  7#a7 ,9   
g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all aw>d plann+     
grants to eligible entities to enable ! 
eligible entities to develop ma/] plans1
 includ+ design & con/ruction docum5ts1 
to turn "s or all ( ! outdoor spaces ( !
 public elem5t>y s*ools & second>y      
s*ools s]v$ by ! eligible entities into 
liv+ s*ooly>ds4  7#b7 ,applications ,an 
eligible entity t desires to receive a  
grant "u ?is subsection %all submit an  
application to ! ,secret>y at su* "t1 9 
su* mann]1 & accompani$ by su* in=mation
 z ! ,secret>y may require1 includ+ !   
foll[+3 7,a7 ,an outl9e =1 t includes ! 
scope (1 ! ma/] plan describ$ 9 p>agraph

 7#c74  7,b7 ,a plan = educator         
pr(essional developm5t 9 ord] to support
 educators 9 utiliz+ ! liv+ s*ooly>d4   
7,c7 ,id5tification ( ,/ate le>n+ /&>ds 
t may be address$ ?r\gh /ud5t involvem5t
 9 ! liv+ s*ooly>d4  7,d7 ,a plan = h[ !
 eligible entity w provide = ma9t5ance &
 op]ation ( ! liv+ s*ooly>d aft] ! grant
 p]iod ends4  7#c7 ,ma/] plan  7,a7 ,9  
g5]al ,an eligible entity t receives a  
grant "u ?is subsection %all use ! grant
 funds to develop a ma/] plan1 includ+  
design & con/ruction docum5ts1 to turn  
"s or all ( ! outdoor spaces ( ! public 
elem5t>y s*ools & second>y s*ools s]v$  
by ! eligible entity into liv+          
s*ooly>ds4 ,su* ma/] plan %all-- 7i7 be 
develop$ ) community input1 includ+     
/ud5ts1 families1 educators1 & s*ool    
/aff2  7ii7 be develop$ ) ! goal (      
longevity & resili5ce ( liv+ s*ooly>ds  
aft] ! grant p]iod "u ?is subsection &  
subsection 7b7 has expir$2 &  7iii7     
include-- 7,i7 ecological1 climate1 &   
biodiv]sity goals2  7,,ii7 education &  

heal? goals2  7,,iii7 accessibility     
/&>ds2  7,,iv7 ! numb] ( /ud5ts to be   
s]v$ at ea* s*ool s]v$ "u ! grant1 !    
total size ( ea* su* s*ool prop]ty 9    
acres1 & ! size ( ! propos$ liv+        
s*ooly>d at ea* site 9 acres2  7,v7 a   
s*ool gr\nds concept plan draw+ ( ! liv+
 s*ooly>d design propos$ = ea* s*ool    
s]v$ "u ! grant2  7,,vi7 an             
id5tification ( community p>tn]s1       
includ+ nonpr(it organizations or design
 pr(essionals1 t h exp]tise 9 outdoor   
le>n+ spaces or outdoor education1 if   
applicable2 &  7,,vii7 a longevity plan 
= h[ ! eligible entity proposes to      
ma9ta9 ! liv+ s*ooly>ds ov] "t4  7,b7   
,compon5ts ( a liv+ s*ooly>d ,! ma/]    
plan develop$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 may   
include ! foll[+ liv+ s*ooly>d          
compon5ts3 7i7 ,gr[+ food1 plant+       
poll9ator plants1 & creat+ habitat =    
wildlife4  7ii7 ,cons]v+ wat]1 manag+   
/ormwat] & obs]v+ ?+s 9 nature4  7iii7  
,support+ h&s-on le>n+ = prek9d]g>t5    
?r\gh grade #ab activities & programs   

across subject areas & grade levels1 su*
 z conduct+ exp]im5ts reg>d+ soil1 w9d1 
wat]1 & o!r elem5ts4  7iv7 ,us+ ! arts  
to prep>e skits1 plays1 murals1 draw+s1 
& sculptures t celebrate nature1 includ+
 its animals1 plants1 patt]ns1 &        
behaviors4  7v7 ,plant+ native %ade     
trees1 :i*-- 7,i7 directly protect      
/ud5ts f ! effects ( extreme heat due to
 climate *ange2 &  7,,ii7 ca/ %ade on   
adjac5t classroom w9d[s 9 ! s*ool build+
 to help r$uce temp]atures indoors &    
save cool+ co/s dur+ ! w>me/ p>ts ( !   
s*ool ye>4  7vi7 ,natural playgr\nds1   
:i* include natural & nature-bas$       
elem5ts l rock g>d5s1 s& boxes1 /ump    
logs1 /reams1 liv+ plants1 & o!rs t are 
integrat$ ) ! outdoor l&scape &         
vegetation1 & :i*-- 7,i7 w produce less 
heat ?an traditional playgr\nds &       
equipm5t2  7,,ii7 are m inclusive &     
accessible = *ildr5 ( all abilities2    
7,,iii7 all[ *ildr5 to le>n ab\t nature2
 &  7,,iv7 are m co/-effici5t ?an       
traditional playgr\nds4  7b7            

,implem5tation grants  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! 
,secret>y %all aw>d implem5tation grants
 to eligible entities t receiv$ a plann+
 grant "u subsection 7a7 & develop$ a   
ma/] plan 9 accordance ) subsection 7a74
  7#b7 ,applications ,an eligible entity
 t desires to receive a grant "u ?is    
subsection %all submit an application to
 ! ,secret>y at su* "t1 9 su* mann]1 &  
accompani$ by su* in=mation z !         
,secret>y may require4 ,an eligible     
entity may apply = m ?an #a grant 9 ord]
 to complete individual s*ools 9 sep>ate
 phases4  7#c7 ,use ( funds  7,a7 ,9    
g5]al ,an eligible entity t receives a  
grant "u ?is subsection %all use ! grant
 funds to implem5t "s or all ( ! ma/]   
plan develop$ 9 accordance ) subsection 
7a7 by turn+ "s or all ( ! outdoor      
spaces ( ! public elem5t>y s*ools &     
second>y s*ools s]v$ by ! eligible      
entity into liv+ s*ooly>ds4  7,b7       
,p]missible uses ,an eligible entity t  
receives a grant "u ?is subsection may  
use n m ?an #be p]c5t ( ! grant funds-- 

7i7 = pr(essional developm5t = s*ool    
lead]%ip1 educators1 & p>apr(essionals  
relat$ to outdoor tea*+ & br++ /ud5ts   
outside = le>n+2 &  7ii7 to support an  
educator or o!r s*ool /aff memb] to     
ma9ta9 ! liv+ s*ooly>ds ( ! elem5t>y    
s*ools & second>y s*ools s]v$ by !      
eligible entity & provide pr(essional   
developm5t describ$ 9 clause 7i74  7#d7 
,mat*  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,an eligible entity
 t receives a grant "u ?is subsection   
%all provide mat*+ funds 9 an am\nt     
equal to #bj p]c5t ( ! grant aw>d4  7,b7
 ,waiv] ,! ,secret>y may waive ! mat*+  
requirem5t "u subp>agraph 7,a7 = an     
eligible entity t receives a grant "u   
?is subsection & s]ves /ud5ts n less ?an
 #dj p]c5t ( :om are eligible = a free  
or r$uc$ price lun* "u ! ,ri*>d ,b4     
,russell ,national ,s*ool ,lun* ,act    
7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq474 ,su*     
calculation1 9 ! case ( high s*ools s]v$
 by ! eligible entity1 may be complet$  
us+ comp>able data f ! s*ools t fe$ into
 ! high s*ools4  7#e7 ,au?orization (   

appropriations ,!re are au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ to c>ry out ?is section     
#aej1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbc  
?r\gh #bjbg4  #f4 ,cle>+h\se ,!         
,secret>y %all ma9ta9 a cle>+h\se (     
in=mation t-- 7#a7 provides examples (  
outdoor le>n+ spaces1 includ+ successful
 models be+ us$2  7#b7 includes input f 
nonpr(it organizations1 pr(essionals1 & 
o!r community memb]s ) exp]tise 9       
outdoor le>n+ spaces & environm5tal     
education2 &  7#c7 provides l9ks &      
in=mation ab\t ,/ate & local entities ) 
exp]tise 9 outdoor le>n+ spaces &       
environm5tal education4