The bill would require students in grade levels six, seven, and eight to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes for four semesters as part of the school district's or open-enrollment charter school's physical education curriculum. Some exemptions would be allowed.
The bill would prohibit school employees from restricting student participation in recess and physical activities offered as part of a school district's or school's physical education curriculum in kindergarten and grade levels one through eight based on academic performance or behavior.
The bill would require each school district's and open-enrollment charter school's high school programs to provide a one-half elective credit in nutrition and wellness education using materials approved by the State Board of Education and based on nutritional guidelines recommended by the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee
The bill would require institutions of higher education to provide an opportunity for each associate or baccalaureate degree program student to complete a course in nutrition education that is based on recommendations by the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.
The bill would require health-related institutions of higher education to implement nutrition guidelines recommended by the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee into curriculum requirements for medical students, nursing students, allied health majors, and other majors related to health care service provision to receive funding from permanent funds outlined in Chapter 63 of the Texas Education Code.
The bill would establish the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to develop nutritional guidelines for the state consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor. The advisory committee would be administratively attached to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
The bill would require the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to produce an annual report to be submitted to DSHS, the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over health and safety.
The bill would require DSHS to maintain a website with nutritional guidelines and the annual report developed by the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.
The Health and Human Services Commission executive commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee establishment and duties. The advisory committee and the related chapter shall expire on December 31, 2032.
The bill would require food manufacturers to include a warning label on each product it offers for sale in the state disclosing the use of certain ingredients if the United States Food and Drug Administration requires the ingredient to be named on a food label and the ingredient is used in a product for human consumption. The warning label would include language that states that the product contains an ingredient that is not recommended by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom. Products for sale in the state on the manufacturer's or retailer's Internet website shall include the warning label information on the website on which the product is offered for sale or through another communication to the consumer. The bill would allow for certain exemptions.
The bill would allow for preemption of warning labels for specific ingredients if a federal law or regulation prohibits the use of the ingredient, imposes conditions on the use of the ingredient, or determines an ingredient or class safe for human consumption; or the law or regulation requires a labeling statement relating to ultra-processed or processed foods.
The bill would authorize the Attorney General to enforce labeling requirements by food manufacturers by seeking an injunction, through civil penalties and reimbursements for reasonable value of investigating and bringing an enforcement action for violations.
The bill would require licensed physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and dietitians to complete continuing medical education regarding nutrition and metabolic health. The Texas Medical Board, Texas Board of Nursing, and Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules to implement requirements.
The bill would authorize the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to monitor and enforce the dietitian continuing education program and provides grounds for refusing renewal. The bill provides new provisions to be applicable for renewals filed on or after January 1, 2027, after rules have been adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation by December 31, 2026.