H-0926.1
HOUSE BILL 1562
| | |
State of Washington | 64th Legislature | 2015 Regular Session |
By Representatives Sullivan, Tarleton, and Orwall
Read first time 01/22/15. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to allergen information in schools; adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds:
(a) One in every thirteen children have potentially life threatening allergies;
(b) A person is sent to the emergency room due to food allergies every three minutes in the United States;
(c) Studies show that from 1997 to 2007 allergies increased eighteen percent among children under age eighteen;
(d) Food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside of the hospital setting;
(e) The economic cost of children's food allergies in the United States is twenty-five billion dollars per year.
(2) The purpose of this chapter is to protect students with food allergies and to inform students and parents about the ingredients used in preparing meals at school.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. As used in this chapter:
(1) "Allergen" means any substance that causes an allergy including, but not limited to, gluten, wheat, peanuts, pine nuts, tree nuts, seafood, and dairy.
(2) "Allergen information" means a list of all of the ingredients in food served at the public school.
(3) "Public school" has the meaning provided in RCW
28A.150.010.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Public schools must display allergen information on a conspicuous sign in a prominent place within each area where food is served.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitutes a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act takes effect September 1, 2015.
--- END ---