SB2769.DOC

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in the United States, more than one-fourth of children are left alone and unsupervised after school. The majority of these children are in elementary and intermediate school, at a time in life when adverse behavior and health temptations are omnipresent.

To counter this problem in elementary school, the legislature created the after-school plus program (A+ program) more than a decade ago to provide children with a safe and nurturing place to go after school. The A+ program has been successful since its inception, with thousands of participants in over one hundred eighty schools statewide. Approximately two-thirds of A+ program sites are managed by third party contractors, and one-third are managed by department of education personnel.

The legislature further finds that for the past decade, an evidence-based physical activity and nutrition education program, called Fun 5, has been operating successfully in nearly all of the A+ program sites as an integral part of the A+ program, providing training for all A+ program group leaders, supplying manuals and play equipment, as well as hands-on instruction for physically active games and healthy nutrition support.

The Fun 5 program, which for many of the children is the only organized physical activity they receive in a day, has shown positive results in boosting children's level of physical activity, curbing obesity and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. It does this through a hands-on and enjoyable program that promotes five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and at least thirty minutes of active physical exercise five days a week.

The legislature finds that the kinds of physical and nutrition activities in the Fun 5 program are – and should be – an integral part of the A+ program. Unfortunately, since the establishment of the Fun 5 program a decade ago, nearly all funding has come from private donations, a situation that has become significantly more difficult to maintain.

The overall cost of implementing the Fun 5 program averages approximately $1 per child per month – which covers the training activities and equipment replenishment requirements for afterschool activity. Given the vital importance of physical activity and healthy eating to optimal childhood development and obesity prevention, the legislature finds that it is equally vital that funding for a nationally recognized, evidence-based physical activity and nutrition program - similar to Fun 5 – be institutionalized within the A+ program itself.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a physical activity and nutrition component within the A+ program and make an appropriation to the department of education to support the program.

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

"§302A- After-school plus program; physical activity and nutrition. (a) The after-school plus program shall include a nationally recognized, evidence-based physical activity and nutrition component that provides physical exercise and nutrition education to all participating students as an integral part of the after-school plus program.

(b) The physical activity and nutrition component shall include a process for taking biennial surveys of participating fourth, fifth, and sixth graders that measures health risk behaviors relating to chronic illness. The results of these surveys shall be reported to the legislature and governor.

(c) The department may contract with a third party for the organization, management, and implementation of the physical activity and nutrition component required by this section.

(d) The department may establish, as part of any after-school plus program participation fees, a fee sufficient to maintain the physical activity and nutrition component at all after-school plus programs in the State.

(e) The department and any third party on behalf of the department, may accepts gifts and donations to assist with the costs of implementing, managing, expanding, or improving the physical activity and nutrition component required by this section."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to establish a physical activity and nutrition component within the after-school plus program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2769
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII