BILL NUMBER: AB 357INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Pan FEBRUARY 14, 2013 An act to add Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 124167) to Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to child health. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 357, as introduced, Pan. California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force. Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to implement and administer various child health and disease prevention programs. This bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish the California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force, an independent, statewide advisory body charged with developing a vision for children's health in the state, among other tasks. The bill would also provide related legislative findings and declarations. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The health and well-being of California's children should be among the state's top priorities, and it is imperative that every child in California has meaningful health coverage with benefits that support healthy growth and development. (b) Children's health coverage should encompass more than just treatment of diseases and illnesses, but also cover services and care to promote healthy development and well-being. (c) All children should receive care that meets recognized standards of practice. (d) For the first time in history, the current generation of children is likely to be less healthy than their parents and live shorter lives. (e) The incidences and types of chronic disease in children have both increased and changed dramatically over the past four decades. One in five children have a mental health problem, and the number of overweight children has tripled for preschoolers and adolescents and quadrupled for children 6 to 11 years of age, inclusive. (f) Approximately 1.1 million children in California are uninsured, and the quality of children's health services and access to these services reflect significant disparities in geographic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status. (g) Children with special health care needs are often those who experience the greatest challenges in accessing a variety of the high quality services they need. (h) The administration and delivery of child health programs is often ineffective, uncoordinated, and incomplete with little accountability for quality. (i) The modern epidemics facing children today have lifelong consequences and present significant costs to the economy. The failure to ensure the health of our children may jeopardize their ability to function effectively as adults and for our state and nation to remain strong and competitive in our global society. SEC. 2. Article 7.5 (commencing with Section 124167) is added to Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 7.5. California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force 124167. The California Health and Human Services Agency shall establish the California Healthy Child Advisory Task Force, an independent, statewide advisory body charged with developing a vision for children's health in California, making recommendations on improving child health systems, and setting goals and standards for children's health coverage that include developmentally appropriate health promotion and other support services.