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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 513
BY SENATOR HEITMEIER AND REPRESENTATIVES ADAMS, ARNOLD,
BARROW, BILLIOT, CHAMPAGNE, COX, HUNTER, JEFFERSON,
LEBAS, LEGER, POPE, SCHEXNAYDER, SIMON, STOKES,
PATRICK WILLIAMS AND WOODRUFF
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 36:259(OO) and R.S. 40:2018.4, relative to the creation of the Louisiana2
Obesity Prevention and Management Commission within the Department of Health3
and Hospitals; to provide for membership; to provide for the functions of the4
commission; to provide for termination of the legislative authority for the5
commission; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 36:259(OO) is hereby enacted to read as follows:8
§259. Transfer of agencies and functions to Department of Health and Hospitals9
* * *10
OO. The Louisiana Obesity Prevention and Management Commission11
(R.S. 40:2018.4) is placed within the Department of Health and Hospitals and12
shall exercise and perform its powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities as13
provided by or pursuant to law.14
Section 2. R.S. 40:2018.4 is hereby enacted to read as follows:15
§2018.4. Louisiana Obesity Prevention and Management Commission16
A. There is hereby established in the Department of Health and17
Hospitals a commission designated the Louisiana Obesity Prevention and18
Management Commission ("commission"), composed of ten members as19
provided for in this Section. The commission may accept and expend grants20
and private donations from any source, including federal, state, public, and21
private entities, to assist it to carry out its functions.22
B. The powers, functions, and duties of the commission shall include but23
not be limited to the following:24 SB NO. 513 ENROLLED
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(1) Assisting the executive departments and agencies in achieving1
programmatic goals. To this end, the commission shall provide leadership and2
support for:3
(a) Organizational efforts found necessary to achieve programmatic4
objectives.5
(b) Articulating standards through the dissemination of materials,6
identification of expert opinion, identification of alternate means of developing7
effective population-based programs, and development of policy in identified8
health risks.9
(c) Creating awareness among payers, providers, and patients of the10
health risks due to overweight and obesity conditions.11
(d) Enhancing reporting mechanisms of latest outcomes and health12
trends in the area of overweight and obesity concerns.13
(e) Conducting evaluations of program effectiveness.14
(f) Encouraging research and the identification of resources that seek15
ways to promote cost-effective methods of treating overweight and obesity16
conditions.17
(2) Assisting in conducting exploratory research as deemed necessary18
with the intent of achieving programmatic objectives.19
(3) Conducting public meetings to discuss obesity.20
(4) Advising and assisting participating agencies with the development21
and implementation of obesity programs.22
(5) Analyzing what other entities across the state are doing to combat23
obesity.24
(6) Advising the executive departments and agencies as to the25
implementation of the commission's recommendations.26
C. The commission shall convene its first meeting no later than August27
31, 2014. At the first meeting the chairman and vice chairman of the28
commission shall be appointed by the secretary of the Department of Health29
and Hospitals with the consultation and approval of the commission. The30 SB NO. 513 ENROLLED
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commission may adopt such rules of procedure as are necessary to facilitate1
orderly conduct of its business.2
D. The commission shall be composed of the following members:3
(1) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or his4
designee.5
(2) The state superintendent of education, or his designee.6
(3) The commissioner of insurance, or his designee.7
(4) The president of the Senate, or his designee.8
(5) The speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee.9
(6) The director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or his10
designee.11
(7) The director of the Prevention Research Center at Tulane12
University, or his designee.13
(8) Two members from community-based groups elected by the other14
commission members at their first meeting. These two members shall serve a15
term of two years and may be elected by the other commission members to16
serve additional terms.17
(9) The director of the Cecil J. Picard Center for Child Development18
and Lifelong Learning, or his designee.19
E. Nonlegislative members of the commission shall not be entitled to per20
diem or any other compensation for their service but shall be entitled to21
reimbursement of any necessary and reasonable expense incurred in the22
performance of their duties on the commission, including travel expenses. Each23
legislative member of the commission shall receive the same per diem and travel24
reimbursement for attending meetings of the commission as is normally25
provided for members of the legislature.26
F. The commission shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings shall also be27
held on call of the chairman or at the request of at least three members of the28
commission. Presence of a majority of the members of the commission shall29
constitute a quorum.30 SB NO. 513 ENROLLED
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G. The commission shall submit an annual report, including proposed1
legislation if necessary, to the governor and to the health and welfare2
committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, sixty days prior to the3
convening of each regular legislative session. The report shall update the4
legislature on the commission's progress toward full implementation of services5
and programs in the state to increase prevention and management of the disease6
of obesity in adults and children.7
H. The legislative authority for the existence of the commission shall8
cease on March 31, 2016.9
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not10
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature11
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If12
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become13
effective on the day following such approval.14
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: