84R4843 LED-D
By: Garcia S.B. No. 1476
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to strategic plan goals to address hunger, food,
nutrition, physical activity, 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 12.00252 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.00252. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL: ADDRESSING HUNGER,
FOOD, NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND OBESITY. The department
shall include in the department's strategic plan required under
Chapter 2056, Government Code, a goal of addressing hunger, food,
nutrition, physical activity, 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 and of the benefits of physical activity 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 (d) to read as follows:
(d) The agency shall include in the agency's strategic plan
required under Chapter 2056, Government Code, a goal of addressing
hunger, food, nutrition, physical activity, 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
and of the benefits of physical activity 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, physical
activity, 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
and of the benefits of physical activity by using public service
announcements; and
(4) facilitating obesity prevention and diabetes
awareness initiatives.
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 12.00252, 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 7.021(d), 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.