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PRINTER'S NO. 1911
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1366
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SANTORA, KNOWLES, HARHAI, GROVE, HEFFLEY, HELM,
ROZZI, BISHOP, KOTIK, SCHLOSSBERG, THOMAS, LONGIETTI, COHEN,
D. COSTA, KAUFFMAN, DeLUCA, MURT AND WATSON, JUNE 24, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 24, 2015
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school health services,
establishing the Childhood Wellness Council and providing for
its powers and duties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The General Assembly finds and declares as
follows:
(1) Childhood obesity is a major health epidemic facing
this Commonwealth.
(2) Roughly 26% to 28% of our children are either
overweight or obese.
(3) The high rate of obesity in our children serves to
only lower quality of life and exposes our youth to serious
health concerns in the future.
(4) These health concerns in turn lead to higher health
care costs which negatively impact Pennsylvania's taxpayers.
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(5) In order to improve the quality of life for many
Pennsylvanians and prevent an increased burden on its
taxpayers, the Commonwealth needs to develop a coordinated
approach to addressing the problem of childhood obesity.
(6) Coordination cannot be through the State alone
because all previous top-down approaches to combating this
epidemic have failed.
(7) By joining the private sector, the Commonwealth can
form a State council comprised of individuals in the private
sector who are experienced with this issue to act as a
liaison and to assist local governments to combat the
problem.
Section 2. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1421.1. Childhood Wellness Council.--(a) The
Childhood Wellness Council is established in the Department of
Education. The council shall consist of the following members:
(1) Three representatives from a charitable organization
that involves child health.
(2) A pediatrician.
(3) A nutritionist.
(4) A food bank administrator.
(5) A physical education or health education teacher.
(6) A representative of an after-school youth development
program.
(7) An employe of the Department of Education as designated
by the Secretary of Education.
(8) An employe of the Department of Agriculture as
designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.
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(b) The council shall meet at least six times annually.
(c) The council shall have the following duties:
(1) To develop coordinated strategies for addressing
childhood obesity and disseminating information on these
strategies.
(2) To work as liaison with local governments to implement
strategies to combat childhood obesity.
(3) To submit annual reports to the General Assembly.
(d) The Department of Education shall promulgate regulations
providing for the operation of the council.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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