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.