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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishment of a pilot program by the commissioner of |
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education for the prevention of obesity in children attending the |
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public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.020 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.020. OBESITY PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Using |
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funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner by rule shall |
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establish a pilot program involving activities in the public |
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schools designed to: |
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(1) decrease the rate of obesity in children attending |
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public schools; |
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(2) improve nutritional choices by children; |
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(3) increase the academic performance of children who |
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are obese or are at risk of obesity; and |
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(4) achieve reductions in the costs incurred by the |
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state as a result of children's obesity. |
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(b) The commissioner shall implement the pilot program in |
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three geographic regions of this state, as selected by the |
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commissioner. In selecting the regions for participation, the |
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commissioner shall consider at least the following factors: |
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(1) the degree to which children in the region are at |
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higher than average risk of developing diabetes, as indicated by |
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state health care information or other relevant indicators; |
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(2) the degree to which the performance of children in |
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the region on the assessment instruments required by Section 39.023 |
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are lower than the statewide average performance of children on |
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those assessment instruments; and |
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(3) whether more than one-third of the student |
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population in the region is educationally disadvantaged. |
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(c) The commissioner shall request proposals for services |
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to be provided under the pilot program from private or public |
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entities. In selecting entities to provide services, the |
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commissioner shall consider: |
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(1) the proven experience of a potential provider in |
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providing high-quality, cost-effective programs relating to health |
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education, physical education, physical activity, nutrition, or |
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family involvement; and |
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(2) the demonstrated expertise of a potential provider |
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in youth culture and youth media. |
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(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to |
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implement the pilot program. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |