BILL NUMBER: AB 357	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Pan

                        FEBRUARY 14, 2013

   An act to add Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 124167) to
Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to child health.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 357, as introduced, Pan. California Healthy Child Advisory Task
Force.
   Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services
to implement and administer various child health and disease
prevention programs.
   This bill would require the California Health and Human Services
Agency to establish the California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force,
an independent, statewide advisory body charged with developing a
vision for children's health in the state, among other tasks. The
bill would also provide related legislative findings and
declarations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The health and well-being of California's children should be
among the state's top priorities, and it is imperative that every
child in California has meaningful health coverage with benefits that
support healthy growth and development.
   (b) Children's health coverage should encompass more than just
treatment of diseases and illnesses, but also cover services and care
to promote healthy development and well-being.
   (c) All children should receive care that meets recognized
standards of practice.
   (d) For the first time in history, the current generation of
children is likely to be less healthy than their parents and live
shorter lives.
   (e) The incidences and types of chronic disease in children have
both increased and changed dramatically over the past four decades.
One in five children have a mental health problem, and the number of
overweight children has tripled for preschoolers and adolescents and
quadrupled for children 6 to 11 years of age, inclusive.
   (f) Approximately 1.1 million children in California are
uninsured, and the quality of children's health services and access
to these services reflect significant disparities in geographic,
racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status.
   (g) Children with special health care needs are often those who
experience the greatest challenges in accessing a variety of the high
quality services they need.
   (h) The administration and delivery of child health programs is
often ineffective, uncoordinated, and incomplete with little
accountability for quality.
   (i) The modern epidemics facing children today have lifelong
consequences and present significant costs to the economy. The
failure to ensure the health of our children may jeopardize their
ability to function effectively as adults and for our state and
nation to remain strong and competitive in our global society.
  SEC. 2.  Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 124167) is added to
Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, to
read:

      Article 7.5.  California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force


   124167.  The California Health and Human Services Agency shall
establish the California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force, an
independent, statewide advisory body charged with developing a vision
for children's health in California, making recommendations on
improving child health systems, and setting goals and standards for
children's health coverage that include developmentally appropriate
health promotion and other support services.