THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2019
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to school meals.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that childhood obesity continues to be a problem in the State.  In Hawaii, childhood obesity increased by thirty-eight per cent between 1999 and 2009.  As a result of health risks and complications related to obesity, the current generation of children may be the first generation not to outlive their parents.  Obesity-related medical expenditures in Hawaii were calculated to be over $470,000,000 in 2009 and are continuing to increase.

     The legislature further finds that healthy eating and physical exercise can help reduce childhood obesity.  Therefore, efforts to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children are absolutely critical.  Some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring that restaurants and fast food chains display nutritional information on their menus to allow customers to make informed decisions about what they order.  The legislature believes that parents and students should be provided the same opportunity to make informed decisions about what students eat during school hours.

     The purpose of this Act is to require all public schools that disseminate school meal menus online or in printed form to include certain nutritional information with each menu.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   School meals; nutritional information. All schools that regularly disseminate school meal menus online or in printed form shall include with each menu information on the nutritional content of each school meal listed, including the total number of:

(1) Grams of saturated fat;

(2) Grams of protein;

(3) Grams of carbohydrates;

(4) Milligrams of sodium; and

(5) Calories."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

School Meals; Nutritional Information

Description:

Requires public schools that disseminate school meal menus online or in printed form to include with each menu certain nutritional information.  Effective 1/1/2015.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.