83R10615 JSL-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 924
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to strategic plans to address hunger, food, nutrition, and
obesity in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Section 12.00251 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.00251. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ADDRESSING HUNGER, FOOD,
NUTRITION, AND OBESITY. The department shall develop a strategic
plan that includes as a goal of the department addressing hunger,
food, nutrition, and obesity in this state by:
(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons
in this state;
(2) increasing access to and participation in the
national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42
U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. by persons eligible for the program;
(3) strengthening the department's education
initiatives to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs in
this state by using public service announcements; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
SECTION 2. Section 7.021, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) The agency shall develop a strategic plan that includes
as a goal of the agency addressing hunger, food, nutrition, and
obesity in this state by:
(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons
served by the agency;
(2) increasing access to and participation in the
national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42
U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. by eligible persons served by the
agency;
(3) strengthening the agency's education initiatives
to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs in this state
by using public service announcements; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
SECTION 3. Section 531.022, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) In addition to the goals specified by Subsection (c),
the plan must include as a goal of the commission, the Department of
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of State
Health Services addressing hunger, food, nutrition, and obesity in
this state by:
(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons
served by the agencies;
(2) increasing access to and participation in the
national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42
U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq. by eligible persons served by the
agencies;
(3) strengthening each agency's education initiatives
to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs in this state
by using public service announcements; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
SECTION 4. As soon as possible after the effective date of
this Act and using existing funds:
(1) the Department of Agriculture shall develop the
strategic plan required by Section 12.00251, Agriculture Code, as
added by this Act; and
(2) the Texas Education Agency shall develop the
strategic plan required by Section 7.021(e), Education Code, as
added by this Act.
SECTION 5. The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall include the goal and methods of
implementing that goal specified by Section 531.022(f), Government
Code, as added by this Act, in the first biennial update of the
coordinated strategic plan for health and human services required
by Section 531.022, Government Code, as amended by this Act, that is
required after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.