BILL REQ. #:  H-4808.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to a model policy for nutrition and physical activity for public schools; adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; creating a new section; 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 and to provide students with skills, opportunities, and encouragement to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Primary responsibility for the issue of obesity in children and adolescents, however, remains with parents and guardians.
     (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   A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Consistent with the essential academic learning requirements for health and fitness, including nutrition, the department, with the assistance of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the Washington state school directors association, the state board of education, 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, commercial marketing of products and services in schools, and the availability and quality of health, nutrition, and physical education curricula.
     (2) The department 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.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     After reviewing the model policy developed under section 2 of this act, each district's board of directors shall establish its own policy by August 1, 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   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.