BILL REQ. #:  Z-1127.2 

Read first time 01/22/2004.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to a model policy for nutrition and physical activity for public schools; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds:
     (a) Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in Washington and throughout the nation. Nearly one in five Washington adolescents in grades nine through twelve were recently found to be either overweight or at risk of being overweight;
     (b) Overweight and obese children are at higher risk for developing severe long-term health problems, including but not limited to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers;
     (c) Overweight youth also are often affected by discrimination, psychological stress, and low self-esteem;
     (d) Obesity and subsequent diseases are largely preventable through diet and regular physical activity;
     (e) A child who has eaten a well-balanced meal and is healthy is more likely to be prepared to learn in the classroom;
     (f) Encouraging adolescents to adopt healthy lifelong eating habits can increase their productivity and reduce their risk of dying prematurely;
     (g) Frequent eating of carbohydrate-rich foods or drinking sweet liquids throughout the day increases a child's risk for dental decay, the most common chronic childhood disease; and
     (h) Schools are a logical place to address the issue of obesity in children and adolescents.
     (2) While the United States department of agriculture regulates the nutritional content of meals sold in schools under its school breakfast and lunch program, limited standards are in place to regulate "competitive foods," which may be high in added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat content. However, the United States department of agriculture does call for states and local entities to add restrictions on competitive foods, as necessary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) Consistent with the essential academic learning requirements for health and fitness, including nutrition, the Washington state school directors association, with the assistance of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the department of health, and the board of health, shall convene an advisory committee to develop a model policy regarding access to nutritious foods, opportunities for developmentally appropriate exercise, and accurate information related to these topics. The policy shall address the nutritional content of foods and beverages, including fluoridated bottled water, sold or provided throughout the school day or sold in competition with the federal school breakfast and lunch program and the availability and quality of health, nutrition, and physical education curricula.
     (2) The school directors association shall submit the model policy and recommendations on the related issues, along with a recommendation for local adoption to the governor and the legislature, and shall post the model policy on its web site by January 1, 2005.
     (3) Each district's board of directors shall establish its own policy by August 1, 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.