SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6525

As of January 22, 2004

Title: An act relating to a model policy for nutrition and physical activity for public schools.

Brief Description: Requiring development of a model policy for nutrition and physical activity for schools.

Sponsors: Senators Johnson, Kohl-Welles, Deccio, McAuliffe, Winsley and Thibaudeau; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Education: 1/28/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff: Heather Lewis-Lechner (786-7448)

Background: Under current federal law, school meals must meet nutrition standards established in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in order to obtain cash subsidies and donated commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As part of this federal regulation, foods and beverages of minimal nutritional value cannot be sold in the school food service area (such as cafeterias, hallways and common areas) during school meal periods. These regulations do not restrict the sale of those foods or beverages at any other time during the school day. States are authorized to impose additional restrictions on any food or beverage sold at any time throughout their schools.

In Washington 277 out of a total of 296 public school districts participate in the federal school lunch and school breakfast programs and are therefore subject to the federal regulations.

Summary of Bill: The Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) with the assistance of the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Department of Health and the Board of Health, must form an advisory committee to develop a model policy regarding student access to nutritious foods, opportunities for developmentally appropriate exercise and accurate information related to these topics. The model policy must address the nutritional content of foods and beverages, including fluoridated bottled water, provided throughout the school day or sold in competition with the school lunch and breakfast programs. The policy must also address the commercial marketing of products and services in schools, and the availability and quality of health, nutrition, and physical education curricula.

The model policy and recommendations must be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature and posted on the WSSDA website by January 1, 2005.

Each school district board is required to establish its own policy by August 1, 2005.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2004.

Effective Date: This bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.