Bill Text: CT HB05896 | 2015 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

Connecticut House Bill 5896 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: An Act Establishing A Nutrition Education Advisory Council.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-14 - File Number 623 [HB05896 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2015-HB05896-Comm_Sub.html

General Assembly		*Substitute Bill No. 5896*
*January Session, 2015*		_____HB05896PH____033015____

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NUTRITION EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) There is established an advisory council on nutrition education to advise and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Public Health on (1) childhood nutrition, including, but not limited to, promoting healthier eating habits and providing and promoting healthier options for school meals, and (2) the development of a nutrition education program for adoption by the local and regional school districts and integration into the physical education curriculum.

(b) The advisory council shall consist of the following members, who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health:

(1) A certified dietitian-nutritionist practicing in the state who provides services to children;

(2) A pediatrician licensed and practicing in the state;

(3) A medical researcher with experience conducting research concerning the effects of childhood nutrition on overall health;

(4) A school nurse licensed and practicing in the state;

(5) A psychiatrist licensed and practicing in the state with experience treating children with issues related to nutrition;

(6) A licensed clinical social worker, as defined in section 20-195m of the general statutes, with experience providing services to children with issues related to nutrition;

(7) A representative of the Department of Education responsible for publishing the nutrition standards for food items offered for sale to students at schools pursuant to section 10-215e of the general statutes; and

(8) A member of the State Board of Education.

(c) The chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, or the chairpersons' designees, shall be members of the advisory council.

(d) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee, shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the advisory council and shall attend all meetings of the advisory council.

(e) Any member of the advisory council under subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (b) or subsection (c) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.

(f) All appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.

(g) Members shall receive no compensation except for reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties.

(h) The Commissioner of Public Health shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory council, which shall be held not later than September 1, 2015. The members shall elect the chairperson of the advisory council from among the members of the council. A majority of the council members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of a quorum shall be required for any official action of the advisory council. The advisory council shall meet upon the call of the chairperson or upon the request of a majority of council members.

(i) Not later than January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the advisory council shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, recommendations concerning: (1) Childhood nutrition, including, but not limited to, promoting healthier eating habits and providing and promoting healthier options for school meals, and (2) the development of a nutrition education program for adoption by the local and regional school districts and integration into the physical education curriculum.