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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 96
BY SENATOR HEITMEIER
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals and the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education jointly to assess water accessibility in
Louisiana schools and report its findings to the legislature by February 1, 2015.
WHEREAS, water is vital to the physical and cognitive health of children; and
WHEREAS, dehydration can lead to temporary cognitive impairments such as
reduced concentration and limited short-term memory; and
WHEREAS, choosing sugar-sweetened beverages as alternatives to water may lead
to weight gain, insulin resistance or type-2 diabetes, some forms of cancer, and tooth decay;
and
WHEREAS, almost thirty-one percent of Louisiana youths report drinking at least
two sodas per day; and
WHEREAS, the federal Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 requires school
districts to make free, potable drinking water available to students in food service areas
during meal times; and
WHEREAS, while Louisiana's plumbing code requires schools to provide one
drinking fountain for every three classrooms and at least one drinking fountain per floor,
school personnel have revealed that water fountains are often out of order and that students
do not like the taste of the unfiltered water; and
WHEREAS, schools may select specific methods for serving water, such as disposal
cups and reusable water bottles; and
WHEREAS, since the current state of water access in Louisiana schools, both during
meal times and throughout the school day, is unknown, further field research is needed to
determine each school's needs and the best ways to promote water consumption among
youth. SCR NO. 96 ENROLLED
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals and the State Board of Elementary
and Secondary Education jointly to assess water accessibility in Louisiana schools.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department and the board jointly shall report
their findings to the legislature no later than February 1, 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
state superintendent of education, the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals,
and the president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES