HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

913

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING WELLNESS GUIDELINES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to establish early learning wellness guidelines to increase adoption of healthy habits early in life for young children who attend licensed and license-exempt early learning programs.

     Early learning programs can play an integral part in children′s development by providing good nutrition, and by offering physical activity and other learning opportunities that contribute to school readiness and a successful future.

      The State, in collaboration with stakeholders, shall develop guidelines that will be consistent with the current department of education wellness guidelines to promote and support healthy learning environments in Hawaii's public schools.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"PART   .  EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE PROGRAMS

WELLNESS GUIDELINES

     §346-  Early learning wellness guidelines.  (a)  The department of health shall, in partnership with the early learning council, the department of human services, and the department of education, establish early learning wellness guidelines applicable to all programs and services of the early learning system that, at a minimum:

     (1)  Include goals for nutritious foods, health education, physical activity, and other activities designed to promote childhood wellness;

     (2)  Are consistent with the State of Hawaii Wellness Guidelines for the department of education schools;

          Shall be sensitive to family choice and cultural diversity;

     (3)  Establish plans for the adoption and dissemination of the early learning wellness guidelines,  as well as the monitoring and measurement of the implementation of the guidelines in the early learning system programs and services; and

     (4)  Are provided in such a manner as to be consistent with the specific needs and requirements of local early childhood education and care agencies.

    (b)   Involves in the development of the learning wellness guidelines representatives from:

     (1)  The office of the governor;

     (2)  The department of education;

     (3)  The department of health;

     (4)  The department of human services;

     (5)  The early learning council;

     (6)  The Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children;

     (7)  The Good Beginnings Alliance;

     (8)  People Attentive to Children;

     (9)  Institutions of higher education; and

    (10)  Representatives from child care providers, family child interaction learning programs, home based child care, family child care, parents, students, and the public.

     (c)  The department of health shall establish the early learning wellness guidelines no later than June 30, 2014.

     (d)  The department of health shall distribute copies of the early learning guidelines to at least the following:

     (1)  The office of the governor;

     (2)  The president of the senate;

     (3)  The speaker of the house of representatives;

     (4)  The director of human services;

     (5)  The chairperson of the early learning council;

     (6)  The superintendent of education;

     (7)  The president of the University of Hawaii; and

     (8)  The mayor of each county.

     (e)  The early learning wellness guidelines shall serve as guidance only, and shall not be construed as binding upon, or as a mandate to, early learning system and services.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         , or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2013-2014 to:

     (1)  Fund meetings to bring necessary stakeholders together to develop early learning wellness guidelines;

     (2)  Oversee implementation of early learning wellness guidelines; and

     (3)  Provide training on early learning wellness guidelines to early learning system providers on the early learning wellness guidelines.

     SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST


 


 

Report Title:

Early Learning Wellness Guidelines; Child Care Centers

 

Description:

Establishes non-binding early childhood education and care program wellness guidelines for young children who attend licensed early childhood and childcare programs.

 

 

 

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