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.