An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for health services, for reports and for interagency coordinating council for child health, nutrition and physical education; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for physical education.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 to update school health services. It requires schools to provide hearing tests and height/weight measurements for students, but allows for exemptions upon parental request. The bill also modifies reporting requirements, prohibiting the calculation and reporting of body mass index (BMI) and ensuring student confidentiality. Finally, it establishes an interagency council to develop and maintain a Pennsylvania Child Wellness Plan focused on promoting child health, nutrition, and physical education.
Key provisions
- Requires schools to conduct hearing tests and measure height and weight for students.
- Allows parents to request exemptions from height and weight measurements.
- Prohibits the calculation and reporting of body mass index (BMI).
- Mandates that height and weight measurements be reported to the Secretary of Health in a confidential manner.
- Establishes an interagency council to create and update a Pennsylvania Child Wellness Plan.
- Requires the council to integrate the Pennsylvania Nutrition and Activity Plan to Prevent Obesity.
- Directs the council to address healthy food choices and active lifestyles for families receiving SNAP benefits.
- Specifies timelines for submitting the Child Wellness Plan to the Governor and relevant legislative bodies.
Who is affected
- Students in Pennsylvania public schools
- School districts in Pennsylvania
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1648 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Danielle Friel Otten
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
Christopher Rabb
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