Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB642 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 61 0174
2	2	House Bill 642
3	3	By: Representatives Lim of the 98
4	4	th
5	5	, Carpenter of the 4
6	6	th
7	7	, and Au of the 50
8	8	th
9	9
10	10	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
11	11	AN ACT
12	12	To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
13	13	1
14	14	Annotated, relating to student health, so as to prohibit public primary and secondary schools2
15	15	from serving or selling, or allowing a third party to serve or sell, food or beverages that3
16	16	contain synthetic dye; to provide for a definition; to provide for certification of compliance;4
17	17	to provide legislative findings; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to5
18	18	repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6
19	19	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
20	20	SECTION 1.8
21	21	This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Dye Free School Meals Act."9
22	22	SECTION 2.10
23	23	The General Assembly finds that:11
24	24	(1) Scientific research has demonstrated that synthetic food dyes can contribute to12
25	25	hyperactivity, inattention, restlessness, sleeplessness, irritability, aggression, and other13
26	26	behavioral challenges in some children. These effects can impact a child's ability to14
27	27	learn, focus, and participate in educational activities; and15
28	28	H. B. 642
29	29	- 1 - 25 LC 61 0174
30	30	(2) Taxpayer funded meal and snack programs provided to children in public schools
31	31	16
32	32	should support, not hinder, a child's cognitive and behavioral development. School meals17
33	33	and snacks should prioritize nourishment to promote the health and well-being of children18
34	34	and their abilities to meet educational expectations.19
35	35	SECTION 3.20
36	36	Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,21
37	37	relating to student health, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:22
38	38	"20-2-779.5.
39	39	23
40	40	(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'synthetic dye' means:24
41	41	(1) Blue 1;25
42	42	(2) Blue 2;26
43	43	(3) Green 3;27
44	44	(4) Red 3;28
45	45	(5) Red 40;29
46	46	(6) Yellow 5; or30
47	47	(7) Yellow 6.31
48	48	(b) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, no public primary or secondary school shall32
49	49	serve or sell, or allow a third party to serve or sell, any food or beverage that contains33
50	50	synthetic dye on school grounds during the regular school day or as part of a school34
51	51	breakfast program.35
52	52	(c) This Code section shall not be construed so as to prohibit the parent or guardian of a36
53	53	student at a public primary or secondary school from providing food or beverages that37
54	54	contain synthetic dye to such parent's or guardian's child or for a school or classroom event.38
55	55	(d) The Department of Education shall develop a standardized form that public primary39
56	56	and secondary schools may use to certify that such schools are in compliance with the40
57	57	provisions of this Code section. The Department of Education shall maintain a list of41
58	58	H. B. 642
59	59	- 2 - 25 LC 61 0174
60	60	schools that have certified compliance with the provisions of this Code section and shall42
61	61	make such list available on its public website."43
62	62	SECTION 4.44
63	63	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.45
64	64	H. B. 642
65	65	- 3 -