HBA-CCH H.C.R. 223 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 223
By: Coleman
Public Health
3/30/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Diets deficient in calcium are associated with many health disorders such
as osteoporosis, hypertension, preeclampsia, and colon cancer.  The
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development concludes that
inadequate calcium consumption among children and adolescents is a growing
problem and a serious threat to their later health, growth, and
development.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the diets of more than 50 percent of children are calcium deficient, and
only 13 percent of teenage girls consume enough calcium to develop strong
bones that support full growth.  Many children and adolescents have calcium
deficient diets as a result of consuming foods and beverages that are low
in calcium and drinking soft drinks that rob the body of calcium or
increase the need for calcium. House Concurrent Resolution 223 directs the
Texas Department of Health to prepare a list of available foods and
beverages fortified with calcium and to forward the list and this
resolution to the Texas Education Agency and each primary and secondary
school in Texas. 

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 Concurrent Resolution 223 directs the Texas Department of Health to
prepare a list of available foods and beverages that are naturally
fortified with calcium and to forward the list, along with a copy of this
resolution, to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and each primary and
secondary school in Texas.