HBA-MPM H.B. 796 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 796 By: Najera Public Education 4/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An increasing number of children and adolescents are developing type II diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes. Type II diabetes commonly occurs in children who are overweight. A recent study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill indicates that a national epidemic of type II diabetes likely will follow the current epidemic of obesity in U.S. children. Long-term complications of diabetes can lead to limb amputation, cardiac arrest, stroke, and blindness. Children may avoid developing type II diabetes if they learn how to choose healthy foods and exercise regularly in their younger years. House Bill 796 requires school districts to educate students about diabetes and to offer a breakfast or lunch program for students that serves foods consistent with nutritional guidelines adopted by the Texas Diabetes Council. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 796 amends the Education Code to require a school district to use the diabetes education program developed by the State Board of Education in its health curriculum. The bill requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on request to assist a resident of a school district in determining whether the district is in compliance with curriculum requirements, including the requirement that the district offer health and physical education classes. The bill requires a school district offering a breakfast or lunch program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to serve foods consistent with nutritional requirements applicable to the national school lunch program as well as nutritional guidelines adopted by the Texas Diabetes Council. The bill requires TEA on request to assist a resident of a school district in determining whether or not the district is in compliance with nutritional requirements. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the 2002-2003 school year.