Bill Text: TX SB1111 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the Children's Health and Nutrition Interagency Council.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-07 - Referred to Health & Human Services [SB1111 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB1111-Introduced.html

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86R8546 LED-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1111

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Children's Health and Nutrition Interagency
Council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 116, Health and Safety
Code, is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 116. CHILDREN'S [EARLY CHILDHOOD] HEALTH AND NUTRITION
INTERAGENCY COUNCIL
SECTION 2. Section 116.001, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 116.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council" means
the Children's [Early Childhood] Health and Nutrition Interagency
Council.
SECTION 3. Section 116.002, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 116.002. REVIEW BY SUNSET ADVISORY COMMISSION. The
Sunset Advisory Commission shall review the Children's [Early
Childhood] Health and Nutrition Interagency Council as part of its
periodic review of the Department of Agriculture under Chapter 325,
Government Code (Texas Sunset Act).
SECTION 4. Section 116.003(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The Department of Agriculture shall establish the
Children's [Early Childhood] Health and Nutrition Interagency
Council. The council is composed of eight members as follows:
(1) a representative of the Health and Human Services
Commission who is involved in the coordination of children's
programs, appointed by the executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission;
(2) a representative of the Department of State Health
Services' health promotion and chronic disease prevention
programs, appointed by the commissioner of state health services;
(3) a representative of the Department of State Health
Services' Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants and Children, appointed by the commissioner of state health
services;
(4) a representative of the Texas Workforce
Commission, appointed by the executive director of the Texas
Workforce Commission;
(5) a representative of the Department of Agriculture,
appointed by the commissioner of agriculture;
(6) a representative of the Texas Education Agency's
school health programs, appointed by the commissioner of education;
(7) a representative of the Health and Human Services
Commission's [Department of Family and Protective Services'] Child
Care Licensing Division, appointed by the executive commissioner
[of the Department of Family and Protective Services]; and
(8) a representative of the Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service, appointed by the director of the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension Service.
SECTION 5. Section 116.006(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The council shall meet in person three times each year
and may hold meetings by conference call as necessary. The council
shall invite stakeholders to participate in at least two council
meetings each year and provide an opportunity for submission of
oral or written testimony. The council at a minimum shall invite:
(1) one individual with expertise in children's [early
childhood] nutrition and physical activity, such as a registered
dietician, physical therapist, or physical education specialist;
(2) one staff member or manager of a child-care
facility;
(3) one staff member or manager of a child-care
facility operated in a private residence;
(4) two individuals with medical experience in
children's [early childhood] health, such as a family practice
physician, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, pediatrician, or
child health consultant;
(5) one representative from a nonprofit organization
that provides family or wellness services; and
(6) one representative from an agency or organization
with expertise in community health education and outreach, such as
a local health department, public relations or marketing firm, or
university.
SECTION 6. Section 116.007, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 116.007. COUNCIL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The council
shall review current research to assess:
(1) the health of children under the age of 18 [six] in
this state compared to the health of similar children in other
states;
(2) the significance of nutrition and physical
activity in the development of children under the age of 18 [six];
and
(3) the existence of nutrition and physical activity
requirements and practices in child [early childhood] care
settings.
(b) The council shall review the status of the programs
administered by each agency represented on the council that promote
healthy nutrition and physical activity for children under the age
of 18 and in child [early childhood] care settings.
(c) The council shall identify existing state and federal
funding sources available for the promotion of health and nutrition
for children under the age of 18 and in child [early childhood] care
settings.
(d) The council shall consult with key stakeholders to
identify:
(1) barriers to improving nutrition and physical
activity standards for children under the age of 18 and in child
[early childhood] care settings; and
(2) evidence-based best practices for improving
children's [early childhood] health through nutrition and physical
activity.
(e) The Department of Agriculture for the council may
contract with a university to study and report on best practices and
obstacles for addressing children's [early childhood] health
through nutrition and physical activity.
SECTION 7. Section 116.009, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 116.009. CHILDREN'S [EARLY CHILDHOOD] NUTRITION AND
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAN. (a) The council shall develop a children's
[an early childhood] nutrition and physical activity plan with a
recommended timeline for implementation over a six-year period.
(b) The six-year plan must account for stakeholder
recommendations, address the financing, staffing, and training
required to implement the plan, and include methods to:
(1) increase fruit and vegetable consumption among
children under the age of 18 [six];
(2) increase daily structured and unstructured
physical activity among children under the age of 18 and in child
[early childhood] care settings;
(3) increase awareness among parents of the benefits
of breast-feeding, healthy eating, and appropriate activity in
children under the age of six;
(4) facilitate the consumption of breast milk in early
childhood care settings;
(5) decrease malnutrition and undernourishment among
children under the age of 18 [six]; and
(6) engage existing community and state resources and
service providers to educate and increase the awareness of parents
and caretakers regarding the need for proper nutrition.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.