MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representatives Hines, Johnson
AN ACT TO CREATE THE TASK FORCE ON COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO DIRECT THE TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE, STRATEGIC PLAN TO COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPI THAT ADDRESSES CERTAIN ISSUES; TO PROVIDE FOR MEETINGS AND FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE IN EXISTENCE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2013; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL PREPARE AND PRESENT AN ANNUAL REPORT OF ITS WORK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR, AND PREPARE A FINAL REPORT, TOGETHER WITH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 2013; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Task Force on Combating Childhood Obesity in Mississippi, which shall be composed of twenty-three (23) members, as follows:
(a) Two (2) members appointed by the Governor;
(b) Two (2) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(c) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(d) The Chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, or his designee;
(e) The Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, or his designee;
(f) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees, or their designees;
(g) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, or their designees;
(h) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Insurance Committees, or their designees;
(i) The Chairman of the House Medicaid Committee, or his designee;
(j) A representative of the State Department of Education, appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education;
(k) A representative of the State Department of Health, appointed by the State Health Officer;
(l) A representative of the State Department of Mental Health, appointed by the executive director of the department;
(m) A representative of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, appointed by the executive director of the department;
(n) A representative of the Delta Strategic Compact;
(o) A representative of the Boys and Girls Clubs;
(p) A representative of the CREATE Foundation; and
(q) A representative of the Center for Mississippi Health Policy.
(2) The task force shall develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to combat childhood obesity in Mississippi, which shall address, at a minimum, the following issues:
(a) Implementing a statewide policy on recess;
(b) Increasing compliance with the state's nutrition standards;
(c) Reducing the nurse-to-student ratio down from 1:750 to 1:1092 and assuring that each school district has at least one (1) nurse;
(d) Studying the counseling services in the schools and how they can more effectively address childhood depression and suicide; and
(e) Providing for nutrition counseling and curriculum and after-school fitness programs in the schools.
(3) The task force shall hold its first meeting not later than June 1, 2011, with the date, time and location of the meeting to be designated jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Lieutenant Governor. At the first meeting, the task force shall elect from among its membership a chairman, vice chairman, and any other officers determined to be necessary, and it shall set the date, time and location of its later meetings. A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(4) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation for their services, and the task force shall perform its duties without legislative appropriation or the use of any state funds for that purpose. However, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state, or of any political subdivision thereof, shall provide, at the request of the chair of the task force, such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force to carry out its duties.
(5) The task force shall be in existence until December 31, 2013. The task force shall prepare and present an annual report of its work to the Legislature and the Governor, and shall prepare a final report, together with its recommendations, to the Legislature and the Governor not later than December 31, 2013.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.