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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	February 5, 2019 09:44 AM
From:	Senator Steven J. Santarsiero
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Eating Disorder Parental Education

Eating disorders are real, complex and devastating conditions that can have severe consequences on all aspects of a person’s health. Children ages 12 and under, girls especially, can begin to express dissatisfaction with their bodies and a fear of gaining weight. These serious conditions are not a fad, phase or lifestyle choice, but instead are potentially life-threatening conditions that impact an estimated 500,000 Pennsylvanians. In an effort to bring awareness of the devastating mental and physical effects of eating disorders, I plan to introduce legislation requiring schools to annually provide educational information to parents with children in 5th-12th grades. Additionally, my legislation will: Create guidelines for local school boards that outline the optional development of an eating disorder screening program and appropriate opt-out and exemption procedures; Specify training requirements for personnel and volunteers; and Provide the framework for parental notification procedures in the event of a positive indication of an eating disorder. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to increase awareness about these serious and devastating disorders, as well as to help identify and treat students with these disorders as early as possible.

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