PLAY Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6245
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-10T08:07:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Prioritizing Lifestyle and Activity for Youth Act (PLAY Act) aims to promote youth health and wellness by establishing a federal interagency task force focused on creating and improving community-supported physical activity spaces, such as playgrounds and outdoor areas, to encourage active play and reduce health risks.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Task Force: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must create the "Task Force on Child Wellness and Physical Activity Infrastructure" within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
- Composition: The task force includes representatives from multiple federal agencies, including HHS, Interior, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Transportation, Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Corporation for National and Community Service, Education, and the Council on Environmental Quality. Additional members can be added as needed. HHS and Interior Secretaries serve as co-chairs.
- Duties:
- Identify ways to coordinate between health agencies, public lands managers, and partners to develop outdoor spaces that promote youth physical activity and well-being.
- Pinpoint barriers to children's access to nearby, community-driven outdoor spaces.
- Develop recommendations to support active play for health, learning, and safe community centers.
- Suggest how agencies can collaborate to address diverse community needs related to health, environment, and resilience.
- Promote scalable models, such as public-private partnerships, for building evidence-based play environments.
- Consultation: The task force must consult with health, wellness, and outdoor recreation organizations experienced in community playgrounds, child health, and physical activity.
- Reporting Requirements:
- A preliminary report on findings must be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the task force's establishment.
- A final report, including key recommendations, must follow one year later.
- Duration and Definitions: The task force ends one year after the final report. Key terms include "child wellness infrastructure" (community spaces like playgrounds designed for play and health), "public lands" (federal, state, or local government lands), and "youth" (individuals under 18). Reports go to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new interagency task force, which does not exist under current law. It formalizes coordination across federal departments on youth physical activity infrastructure, building on existing public health and lands management authorities without altering them directly. No amendments to prior statutes are specified; the focus is on advisory recommendations rather than enforceable mandates.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances interagency collaboration, potentially streamlining federal efforts on public health, environmental protection, and community development. Agencies like HHS and Interior may see increased administrative duties for task force participation, but the temporary nature limits long-term burdens.
- Citizens: Could improve access to safe playgrounds and green spaces, benefiting youth health by promoting physical activity, reducing chronic disease risks, and supporting mental well-being. Communities, especially in urban or underserved areas, may gain from recommendations addressing heat reduction and social cohesion.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic public lands and health initiatives.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Youth and Families: Primary beneficiaries through better access to play spaces that support physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
- Federal Agencies: HHS, Interior, EPA, and others involved in the task force, requiring coordination and resource allocation.
- Communities and Local Governments: Affected by recommendations for community-driven infrastructure on public lands.
- Nonprofit and Private Sector Organizations: Health, wellness, recreation groups, and partners in public-private initiatives for playground development.
- Congressional Committees: House Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which receive reports and may influence future policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The task force is advisory, producing non-binding recommendations, so it avoids creating new regulatory powers or funding mandates. It aligns with existing federal roles in public health (e.g., under HHS) and lands management without raising enforcement concerns.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; it promotes general welfare through interagency coordination, fitting within Congress's authority over federal operations and spending (though no appropriations are specified here).
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by a Democrat and Republican) suggests broad appeal for child health initiatives. It emphasizes evidence-based, community-focused solutions, potentially influencing future budgets or legislation on urban planning and climate resilience, but its short-term nature limits immediate political controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Prioritizing Lifestyle and Activity for Youth Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (6 pages)