2013 -- S 0513

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LC01591

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardo, Sosnowski, Ottiano, Cool Rumsey, and Hodgson

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Education

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-21-28 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-21 entitled "Health

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and Safety of Pupils" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     16-21-28. Health and wellness subcommittee. -- (a) The school committee of each

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school district shall establish a district-wide coordinated school health and wellness

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subcommittee chaired by a member of the full school committee. The subcommittee will make

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recommendations regarding the district's health education curriculum and instruction, physical

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education curriculum and instruction, and nutrition and physical activity policies to decrease

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obesity and enhance the health and well being of students and employees.

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      (b) The school health and wellness subcommittee shall consist of members of the general

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public, a majority of whom are not employed by the school district, including at least one parent,

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and are encouraged to include teachers; administrator; students; community and school-based

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health professionals; business community representatives; and representatives of local and

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statewide nonprofit health organizations. The subcommittee will be chaired by a member of the

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school committee.

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      (c) Nothing in this section shall preclude the school committee from reconstituting any

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existing district-wide volunteer committees as the school health and wellness subcommittee so

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long as said committee membership meets the requirements of this section.

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      (d) The school health and wellness subcommittee shall be responsible for, but not limited

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to, development of policies, strategies, and implementation plans that promote purchasing and

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serving locally grown fruits, vegetables and dairy products and that meet the requirements of the

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child nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. The school health and wellness

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subcommittee shall forward all recommendations regarding the district's health education

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curriculum and instruction, physical education curriculum and instruction, nutrition policies, and

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physical activity policies to the full school committee.

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      (e) Reporting shall be consistent with requirements of section 16-7.1-2(h).

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      (f) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education and the Rhode

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Island department of heath will provide technical assistance and support to the school health and

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wellness subcommittees on best practices, professional development on coordinated school health

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issues, suggested initiatives, and will support communication among the school health and

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wellness subcommittees by sharing information on the activities, efforts, and experiences of

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subcommittees across the state.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01591

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would promote the purchasing and serving of locally grown fruits, vegetables

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and dairy products in Rhode Island school districts.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01591

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