84R4843 LED-D

By: Garcia S.B. No. 1476

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to strategic plan goals to address hunger, food, nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Section 12.00252 to read as follows:

Sec. 12.00252. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL: ADDRESSING HUNGER, FOOD, NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND OBESITY. The department shall include in the department's strategic plan required under Chapter 2056, Government Code, a goal of addressing hunger, food, nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in this state by:

(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons in this state;

(2) increasing access to and participation in the national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. by persons eligible for the program;

(3) strengthening the department's education initiatives to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs in this state and of the benefits of physical activity by using public service announcements; and

(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes awareness initiatives.

SECTION 2. Section 7.021, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) The agency shall include in the agency's strategic plan required under Chapter 2056, Government Code, a goal of addressing hunger, food, nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in this state by:

(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons served by the agency;

(2) increasing access to and participation in the national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. by eligible persons served by the agency;

(3) strengthening the agency's education initiatives to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs in this state and of the benefits of physical activity by using public service announcements; and

(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes awareness initiatives.

SECTION 3. Section 531.022, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) In addition to the goals specified by Subsection (c), the plan must include as a goal of the commission, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of State Health Services addressing hunger, food, nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in this state by:

(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons served by the agencies;

(2) increasing access to and participation in the national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. by eligible persons served by the agencies;

(3) strengthening each agency's education initiatives to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs in this state and of the benefits of physical activity by using public service announcements; and

(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes awareness initiatives.

SECTION 4. In the first strategic plan under Chapter 2056, Government Code, issued after the effective date of this Act:

(1) the Department of Agriculture shall, using existing funds, include in the plan the goals and methods of implementing the goals required by Section 12.00252, Agriculture Code, as added by this Act; and

(2) the Texas Education Agency shall, using existing funds, include in the plan the goals and methods of implementing the goals required by Section 7.021(d), Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 5. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall, using existing funds, include the goals and methods of implementing those goals specified by Section 531.022(f), Government Code, as added by this Act, in the first biennial update of the coordinated strategic plan for health and human services required by Section 531.022, Government Code, as amended by this Act, that is required after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.