What's happening
This bill amends education law to promote student health by encouraging diabetes risk analysis, wellness, and education on obesity and chronic respiratory diseases.
Why it matters
Expanding health checks to include diabetes risk analysis means schools may identify at-risk students earlier. , potentially allowing for timely interventions and better long-term health outcomes, especially as diabetes rates rise among children.
Broadening school wellness policy discussions beyond nutrition to include obesity, asthma, and chronic respiratory diseases reflects a more holistic approach to student health. , addressing interconnected conditions that can affect learning and quality of life.
Emphasizing parental and staff education about the risks of obesity and chronic diseases aims to create a more informed school community. , which could foster healthier behaviors at home and in school, potentially reducing absenteeism and improving academic performance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Screen Kids for Obesity
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Substituted by A5151B
- Amended on third reading 2724b
- Advanced to third reading
- Amended (t) 2724a
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.830
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Screen Kids for Obesity
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2724--B Cal. No. 830
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 17, 2017
Introduced by Sens. KLEIN, DILAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, amended on second report, ordered to a third reading, and to be reprinted as amended, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- again amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to childhood obesity and instruction in good health and reducing the incidence of obesity
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 903 of the education law, as amended by chapter 376 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
1. A health certificate shall be furnished by each student in the public schools upon his or her entrance in such schools and upon his or her entry into the grades prescribed by the commissioner in regulations, provided that such regulations shall require such certificates at least twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An examination and health history of any child may be required by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child. Each certificate shall be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized by law to practice in this state, and consistent with subdivision three of section six thousand nine hundred two of this chapter, or by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the examination was given, provided that the commissioner has determined that such jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of New York. Each such certificate shall describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08192-05-7
S. 2724--B 2
be more than twelve months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of health to permit his or her attendance at the public schools. The examination may include a diabetes risk analysis. Each such certificate shall also state the student's body mass index (BMI) and weight status category. For purposes of this section, BMI is computed as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters or the weight in pounds divided by the square of height in inches multiplied by a conversion factor of 703. Weight status categories for children and adolescents shall be as defined by the commissioner of health. In all school districts such physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner shall determine whether a one-time test for sickle cell anemia is necessary or desirable and he or she shall conduct such a test and the certificate shall state the results.
§ 2. Subdivisions 4 and 5 of section 918 of the education law, as added by chapter 493 of the laws of 2004, are amended to read as follows:
4. The committee is encouraged to study and make recommendations on all facets of the current nutritional policies of the district including, but not limited to, the goals of the district to promote [health] wellness and proper nutrition, vending machine sales[,]; menu criteria[,]; educational curriculum teaching healthy nutrition[,]; promote the achievement and maintenance of healthy weight; educational information provided to parents or guardians regarding healthy nutrition and the health risks associated with obesity, asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic respiratory disease; opportunities offered to parents or guardians on how to encourage healthier eating habits to students[,]; and the education provided to teachers and other staff as to the importance of healthy nutrition and the health risks associated with a student's weight. In addition the committee shall consider recommendations and practices of other districts and nutrition studies.
5. The committee is encouraged to report periodically to the district regarding practices that will educate teachers, parents or guardians and children about healthy nutrition and raise awareness of the dangers of obesity, asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic respiratory diseases. The committee is encouraged also to provide any parent teacher associations in the district with such findings and recommendations.
§ 3. This act shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to childhood obesity and instruction in good health and reducing the incidence of obesity
Purpose or general idea of bill
The incidence of unhealthy child weight is a rapidly growing public health, social, and economic concern that is adversely affecting the overall health and well-being of our next generation of New Yorkers. In fact, acute and chronic adverse health conditions such as diabetes, chronic coronary conditions, and respiratory illnesses caused by obesity conditions is about to overtake those acute and chronic adverse health conditions caused by smoking tobacco.
This bill attempts to more fully integrate activities conducted by the Education Department to better educate students and parents on the important economic and health reasons for eating a balanced and nutritious diet. In addition to teaching such Subjects in Health class, the scientific reasons for the importance of having a balanced diet should be presented in science classes such as biology and chemistry. Further, the Department should more actively provide more opportunities for physical recreational activities to foster physical fitness and create an environment so that students are more capable to learn because they have "burned off" energy during recess.
Read the full memo (689 words)
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Amends Education Law section 903 to add that school 'health exams may include a diabetes risk analysis if such child has risk for diabetes, such as obesity, family history of type 2 diabetes, or other factors that heighten the risk of diabetes.
Section 2: Amends Education Law section 918 (4) and (5) which relates to the formation of school district nutrition advisory committees. Under this provision, such advisory committees can study and make recommendations on current nutritional policies of the school district to promote the achievement and maintenance of healthy weight. Further, such advisory committees can make recommendations on educational information that can be provided to parents and guardians of students regarding healthy nutrition and health risks associated with a student's weight such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other chronic respiratory diseases.
Section 3: Effective Date.
Justification
The growing prevalence of overweight and obese children is a crisis that is facing the entire nation. Obesity related health care expenditures in New York are some of the highest in the nation. Further, contrary to the lower prevalence of obesity among adults, children in New York are more likely to be obese or overweight when compared to national trends.
Obesity and overweight conditions in individuals are leading to higher incidences of life threatening conditions and substantial economic costs both to the State of New York for health care costs and to employers in lost work time and higher health care costs. Obesity in children tends to manifest itself more widely among poorer children and children whose parents have lower education levels.
The rising incidence of childhood obesity is a serious medical problem that continues to grow, especially among poorer and minority communities. Further, obesity is known to cause or exacerbate a number of serious chronic medical disorders including hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory dysfunction. Nearly 80% of patients with diabetes mellitus are obese, while nearly 70% of diagnosed cases of cardiovascular disease are related to obesity.
While the high prevalence of obesity and overweight conditions is an important public health concern when it affects adults. It should be of heightened concern that this adult affliction is now becoming more common among children. When obesity conditions afflict children this poses, significant quality of life detriments to such persons, reduces the productivity of such individuals over a longer time of their life, and hastens the onset of many chronic conditions that can hurt the quality of life of such persons and their families.
Prior legislative history
A.6504A of 2015 died in education 2014 - S.2437 - Passed Senate Related to S.6423 of 2012 (Klein) that contains a more comprehensive expansion of obesity programs to combat obesity in adults and children. Same as S.7113 of 2012.
Effective date
Immediate, except section one, two and three shall take effect two years after the act shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.