U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Pat Harrigan filed the bipartisan measure

/PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine commends the recent filing in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Sunshine for Our Kids Act, a measure that would set permanent standard time across the nation and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of people everywhere.

The AASM recognizes Pennsylvania Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon and North Carolina Rep. Pat Harrigan for guiding this cross-party effort and for understanding that national time rules must promote sound sleep, safer mornings, and improved learning environments for students. By favoring standard time, the Sunshine for Our Kids Act follows research showing that early daylight helps set the body's internal clock and boosts alertness throughout the school day. Standard time also supports public health, raises student achievement, and lifts economic output.

"Permanent standard time offers the healthiest option for every American," said AASM President Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, a board-certified sleep medicine physician in Fort Myers, Florida. "We thank Representatives Scanlon and Harrigan for advancing legislation that places health and safety at the forefront and aligns mornings with natural light and human circadian rhythms."

The AASM has long backed permanent standard time because it matches human circadian biology, as outlined in its position statement. Permanent daylight saving time, however, would push back morning light, complicating wake-up times, learning, and safe travel to school on dark winter mornings for children and teens.

The Sunshine for Our Kids Act gives Congress a practical, evidence-based route: stopping the twice-yearly clock shifts while selecting the time standard that best protects public health. The AASM and its partners in the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time call on lawmakers to back the bill and advance national policies centered on public health and safety.

For details on daylight saving time and further AASM resources on sleep disorders, treatments, and sleep health, visit SleepEducation.org.

About the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time

Formed in 2023, the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time unites varied organizations and individuals committed to ending biannual clock changes in the United States by restoring permanent standard time. Founding members include the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, National Sleep Foundation, Save Standard Time, Sleep Research Society, and Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (ditchDST.com).

About the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Founded in 1975, the AASM is a medical association dedicated to advancing sleep care and improving sleep health. Its membership exceeds 9,500 physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals who assist individuals with sleep disorders. The AASM also accredits 2,300 sleep centers delivering top-quality care nationwide (aasm.org).

Position Statements

AASM: Permanent standard time is the optimal choice for health and safety

NSF: Permanent standard time

SRS: It is time to abolish the clock change and adopt permanent standard time in the United States

SRBR: Why should we abolish daylight saving time?

SOURCE American Academy of Sleep Medicine