AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the creation of school
district child nutrition advisory committees

Became a law September 21, 2004, with the approval of the Governor.
Passed by a majority vote, three-fifths being present.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
bly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 918 to read as follows:
§ 918. School district nutrition advisory committees.
1. a. Every school district is hereby authorized and encouraged to establish a child nutrition advisory committee.
b. The district advisory committee is encouraged to meet at least quarterly.
c. The committee is encouraged to include, but not be limited to, a representative of the school board, the food preparation staff, the physical education departments, the school nurse or health staff, a registered dietitian, if available, the faculty of the district, the parent teacher associations in the district, the students enrolled in the district, and the parents or guardians of students enrolled in the district.
d. If, due to special circumstances of a district, it is impossible or impracticable for all groups recommended to have members on the committee to be represented, the district may approve a committee that, to the greatest extent possible, represents the interests of the aforementioned groups.
2. The district is encouraged to give, in such newsletter, if any, that precedes the commencement of school in the fall, written notice to all parents or guardians of enrolled students of the existence of a school district nutrition advisory committee and supply information as to how such interested parents or guardians may participate on such committee.
3. The district is encouraged, to the extent practicable, to give notice to all parents or guardians and students through its regular newsletters or other regular forms of written communication as to the scheduled dates of all meetings of the advisory committee.
4. The committee is encouraged to study all facets of the current nutritional policies of the district including, but not limited to, the goals of the district to promote health and proper nutrition, vending machine sales, menu criteria, educational curriculum teaching healthy nutrition, educational information provided to parents or guardians regarding healthy nutrition and the health risks associated with obesity, opportunities offered to parents or guardians to encourage healthier eating habits to students, and the education provided to teachers and other staff as to the importance of healthy nutrition. In addition the committee shall consider recommendations and practices of other districts and nutrition studies.

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted.

CHAP. 493 2

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. The committee is encouraged also to provide any parent teacher associations in the district with such findings and recommendations.
6. Each June, the committee shall report to the board of the local school district regarding the status of the implementation of the district's programs to improve students' nutritional awareness and healthy diet.
§ 2. The legislature declares that school district nutrition advisory committees can be an important tool in the battle against childhood obesity. Upon implementation of a district nutrition council, any school district is authorized to apply for a grant, subject to an appropriation, from funds appropriated to combat childhood obesity to assist in the implementation of programs developed by such school district nutrition committee.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

The Legislature of the STATE OF NEW YORK ss:
Pursuant to the authority vested in us by section 70-b of the Public Officers Law, we hereby jointly certify that this slip copy of this session law was printed under our direction and, in accordance with such section, is entitled to be read into evidence.

JOSEPH L. BRUNO
Temporary President of the Senate

SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the Assembly