THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2386
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to school lunchtime.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that having a sufficient amount of time to eat lunch is critical to students' health and academic performance. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, students should have at least twenty minutes to eat lunch, starting from when they sit down to eat and not from when they enter the cafeteria to get their food. Sufficient time to eat lunch is linked to a better nutritional status; healthy foods tend to take more time for students to consume. In turn, better nutritional status directly affects academic achievement, conduct, and overall school performance. Sufficient time to eat lunch also allows students to socialize with friends, which is an important aspect of healthy eating at school. Moreover, high food waste is associated with not having enough time to eat.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure students have sufficient time to eat lunch.

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 lunchtime period. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, schools shall provide students with a lunchtime period that is no less than thirty minutes long."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Schools; Lunchtime Period

Description:

Requires schools to provide a lunchtime period of at least thirty minutes in length.

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