84R1203 JSL-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1374
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring that certain strategic plans of certain state
agencies include the goals of reducing the incidence of food
insecurity, poor nutrition, and diet-related disease 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. GOALS OF ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY, POOR
NUTRITION, AND DIET-RELATED DISEASE; INCLUSION IN STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) The department shall include in the department's strategic
plan required under Chapter 2056, Government Code, the goals of
reducing the incidence of food insecurity, poor nutrition, and
diet-related disease in this state by:
(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons
in this state;
(2) maximizing federal funds received under child
nutrition programs, including the national free or reduced-price
lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq., by
increasing:
(A) the efficiency of the programs; and
(B) access to the programs by persons eligible
for the programs;
(3) strengthening the department's education
initiatives to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs
available in this state; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
(b) The goals required under Subsection (a) must include
specific targets for increasing participation in nutrition
programs administered by the department.
(c) The department shall seek input from food insecurity
experts, service providers, and other stakeholders in developing
the goals required under Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 7.041 to read as follows:
Sec. 7.041. GOALS OF ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY, POOR
NUTRITION, AND DIET-RELATED DISEASE; INCLUSION IN STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) The agency shall include in the agency's strategic plan
required under Chapter 2056, Government Code, the goals of reducing
the incidence of food insecurity, poor nutrition, and diet-related
disease in this state by:
(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons
served by the agency;
(2) maximizing federal funds received under child
nutrition programs, including the national free or reduced-price
lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq., by
increasing:
(A) the efficiency of the programs; and
(B) access to the programs by eligible persons
served by the agency;
(3) strengthening the agency's education initiatives
to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs available in
this state; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
(b) The goals required under Subsection (a) must include
specific targets for increasing participation in nutrition
programs administered by the agency.
(c) The agency shall seek input from food insecurity
experts, service providers, and other stakeholders in developing
the goals required under Subsection (a).
SECTION 3. Section 531.022, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (f), (g), and (h) to read as follows:
(f) In addition to the goals specified by Subsection (c),
the plan must include as goals of the commission, the Department of
Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Aging and
Disability Services, and the Department of State Health Services
reducing the incidence of food insecurity, poor nutrition, and
diet-related disease in this state by:
(1) increasing access to nutritious foods by persons
served by the agencies;
(2) maximizing federal funds received under the
special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and
children and the supplemental nutrition assistance program by
increasing the efficiency of the programs;
(3) strengthening each agency's education initiatives
to increase awareness of food and nutrition programs available in
this state; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
(g) The goals required under Subsection (f) must include
specific targets for increasing participation in nutrition
programs administered by the commission and other agencies
described by that subsection.
(h) The executive commissioner shall seek input from food
insecurity experts, service providers, and other stakeholders in
developing the goals required under Subsection (f).
SECTION 4. In the first strategic plan under Chapter 2056,
Government Code, issued after the effective date of this Act:
(1) the Department of Agriculture shall, using
existing funds, include in the plan the goals and methods of
implementing the goals required by Section 12.00251(a),
Agriculture Code, as added by this Act; and
(2) the Texas Education Agency shall, using existing
funds, include in the plan the goals and methods of implementing the
goals required by Section 7.041(a), Education Code, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 5. The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall, using existing funds, include the
goals and methods of implementing those goals 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, 2015.