Signed by Governor Ted Strickland

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an optional pilot program requiring physical activity in schools and a body mass index screening.

Highlights:

-Establishes the healthy choices for healthy children council to monitor progress in improving student health and wellness and make policy recommendations regarding the nutritional standards for food and beverages (Sec. 1). -Requires the state board of education to establish a measure of the following (Sec. 1):

-student success in meeting benchmarks of the physical education standards; -compliance with the requirements for local wellness policies; -whether a school district or building is complying with body index screenings instead of operating under a waiver; and -whether a school district or building is participating in the physical activity pilot program.

-Requires the one-half health unit for ninth graders to include instruction in nutrition and the benefits of nutritious foods and physical activity for overall health (Sec. 1). -Requires the department of education to administer a pilot program requiring students in grades kindergarten through twelve to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity each school day (Sec. 1). -Authorizes any school district, community school, or chartered nonpublic school to elect to participate in the physical activity pilot program by notifying the department (Sec. 1). -Specifies that each student enrolled in kindergarten, third grade, fifth grade, and ninth grade undergo a screening for body mass index and weight status, unless the parent or guardian of a student submits a written statement indicating they do not wish to have the student undergo the body mass index screening (Sec. 1). -Authorizes a board or governing authority to obtain a waiver of the requirement to have students undergo screening for body mass index and weigh status by submitting an affidavit to the superintendent of the public instruction (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the sale of water, low-fat or fat-free milk, and fruit juice with the specifications of the amounts depending on the grade ranges of the school (Sec. 1). -Requires each school district board of education and each chartered nonpublic school governing authority to adopt and enforce nutrition standards governing the types of food and beverages that may be sold on the premises of its schools (Sec. 1). -Specifies that, once available, each public and chartered nonpublic school must use a computer software system provided by the department to determine the nutritional value of each a la carte food item available for sale at the school, prohibiting the sale of items in the lowest rated category of foods (Sec. 1). -Define "a la carte item" to mean an individually priced food or beverage item available for sale to student through a school food service program, vending machine on school property, or store operated by the school, a student association, or other school-sponsored organization (Sec. 1). -Requires teachers employed to provide instruction in physical education to hold a valid license for teaching physical education (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the nutritional standards in public and charter schools.

Highlights:

-Establishes the healthy choices for healthy children council to have the following duties (Sec. 1):

-Monitor progress in improving student health and wellness; -Make policy recommendations to the state board of education regarding ways to improve the nutritional standards for foods and drinks; -Make recommendations to the department of education for the development of a clearinghouse of best practices in the areas of student nutrition, physical activity for students, and body mass index screenings; and -Assist in the development of a list of resources regarding health risks associated with weight for parents and guardians.

-Requires the state board of education to establish a measure of the following (Sec. 1):

-Student success in meeting the benchmarks contained in the physical education standards; -Compliance with the requirements for local wellness policies; and -Whether a school district or building is in compliance or operating under a waiver.

-Requires, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, all students in grades K-12 to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity each school day, exclusive of recess (Sec. 1). -Requires that each student enrolled in Kindergarten, third grade, fifth grade, and ninth grade undergo a screening for body mass index and weight status (Sec. 1). -Permits parents or guardians of students to sign a written statement indicating that they do not wish for their student to undergo this screening (Sec. 1). -Specifies that the screening results of each student will remain confidential and shall only be reported to the student's parent or guardian (Sec. 1). -Requires the board or governing authority to report aggregated body mass index and weight status category data to the department of health (Sec. 1). -Requires each school district board of education and each chartered nonpublic school governing authority to adopt and enforce nutrition standards and to do the following (Sec. 1):

-Consider the nutritional value of each food or beverage; -Consult with a licensed dietitian; and -Consult the dietary guidelines for Americans.

-Prohibits the sale of food and beverages on school premises except in accordance with the standards adopted by the board or governing authority (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the sale of water, low-fat or fat-free milk, and fruit juice with the specifications of the amounts depending on the grade ranges of the school (Sec. 1). -Establishes that when the board of education is able to obtain free computer software with the nutritional value of foods it should be available to all public and charter schools containing (Sec. 1):

-Healthiness level of foods; -Amount of calories, saturated and unsaturated fat, sugar, protein, fiber, iron, Vitamin A and C in each food item; and -Dietary guidelines of food released by the United States department of agriculture and the department of health and human services.

Full Bill Text