FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 758

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES GRILL (Sponsor), PACE, ATKINS AND WALTON GRAY (Co-sponsors).

1765L.01I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the child nutrition and wellness act of 2009.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.760, to read as follows:

            191.760. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Child Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2009".

            2. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:

            (1) "Advisory council", the advisory council on child nutrition and wellness created in subsection 3 of this section;

            (2) "Department", the department of health and senior services;

            (3) "Director", the director of the department of health and senior services;

            (4) "Office", the office of child nutrition and wellness created in subsection 4 of this section.

            3. (1) Subject to appropriations, the director shall appoint an advisory council to advise the director and the office regarding child nutrition and wellness issues.

            (2) The council shall have the following duties:

            (a) To advocate for the wellness of children and to recommend appropriate forums, programs, and initiatives to educate the public regarding child nutrition and wellness;

            (b) To gather relevant data on child nutrition and wellness and to recommend surveys and other means to gather additional data, if deemed necessary; and

            (c) To develop a comprehensive long-term strategy, including funding and evaluation mechanisms, to promote child nutrition and wellness in various settings, including but not limited to schools, child care centers, health care facilities, and community facilities, such as churches, shopping centers, health clubs, and other areas frequented by children.

            (3) The director shall determine the number of persons to serve on the advisory council, appoint a chair, and establish the procedures under which the council shall operate.

            (4) The advisory council shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council. The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly.

            4. (1) Subject to appropriations, there is hereby created the "Office of Child Nutrition and Wellness" within the department of health and senior services.

            (2) The office shall coordinate the meetings of the advisory council and shall perform the following functions:

            (a) Assist the director in identifying and establishing priorities for programs, services, and resources to promote better child nutrition and wellness;

            (b) Serve as a clearinghouse for information on child nutrition and wellness;

            (c) Identify and recommend sources of funding for promotion of child nutrition and wellness and seek funding from such sources;

            (d) Make recommendations to the director regarding programs that address child nutrition and wellness for inclusion in the department's annual budget; and

            (e) Conduct public educational forums to raise public awareness about child nutrition and wellness issues.

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