-AN ACT Relating to the sales of competitive foods and beverages sold and served on public school campuses; adding a new section to chapter 28A.235 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

1. NEW SECTION. Sec. (1) The legislature finds:
(a) Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in Washington and throughout the nation. Nearly one in five Washington adolescents in grades nine through twelve were recently found to be either overweight or at risk of being overweight;
(b) Overweight and obese children are at higher risk for developing severe long-term health problems, including but not limited to, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers;
(c) Overweight youth also are often affected by discrimination, psychological stress, and low self-esteem;
(d) Obesity and subsequent diseases are largely preventable through diet and regular physical activity;
(e) A child who has eaten a well-balanced meal and is healthy is more likely to be prepared to learn in the classroom;
(f) Encouraging adolescents to adopt healthy lifelong eating habits can increase their productivity and reduce their risk of dying prematurely; and
(g) Schools are a logical place to address the issue of obesity in children and adolescents.
(2) While the United States department of agriculture regulates the nutritional content of meals sold in schools under its school breakfast and lunch program, limited standards are in place to regulate "competitive foods," which may be high in added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat content. However, the United States department of agriculture does call for states and local entities to add restrictions on competitive foods, as necessary.

2) NEW SECTION. Sec. (1) Consistent with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements for health and fitness (including nutrition), the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene an advisory committee to develop a model policy regarding access to nutritious foods, opportunities for developmentally appropriate exercise and accurate information related to these topics. The policy shall address the nutritional content of foods and beverages sold or provided throughout the school day or sold in competition with the federal school breakfast and lunch program, commercial marketing of products and services in schools and the availability and quality of health, nutrition and physical education curricula.
(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall submit the model policy to the governor and the legislature, and shall post the model policy on its website by January 1, 2004.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) Each local school board of directors shall convene a working group during the 2003-2004 school year to advise it on issues related to nutrition in schools, physical activity of students and the marketing and sales of commercial goods and services in schools.
(2) Members of the working group should include, but are not limited to, school principals, teachers, representatives of parent organizations, students, school food service employees, representatives of advocacy groups, and representatives of the health care community.
(3) The working group shall review the model policy posted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction on its website, and make its own recommendations to its board of directors regarding the establishment of a policy for the district. Each district's board of directors shall establish its own policy by August 1, 2004. If the board chooses not to adopt the model policy developed by the superintendent of public instruction, or a policy that is substantially similar, the board shall submit to the office of superintendent of public instruction a copy of its proposed policy for approval by the same date.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 Sections 1 through 3 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately.