HCS SCS SB 680 -- MISSOURI COMMISSION ON OBESITY

SPONSOR:  Bland (Barry)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 16 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Missouri Commission on Prevention
and Management of Obesity within the Department of Health and
Senior Services.  The commission is required to coordinate with
various federal and state departments for the purpose of
developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to obesity
prevention and management.

The functions and duties of the commission are specified in the
substitute.  The commission will terminate on August 28, 2004.

The commission will consist of 22 members and is required to
conduct its first meeting by October 1, 2002, and quarterly
thereafter.  The commission is required to submit a report to the
Governor and the House and Senate appropriations committees by
August 28, 2004.  The contents of the report are contained in the
substitute.

The department is required to establish a resource databank
containing information about obesity and related subjects by
January 1, 2003.  The department is also required to provide
technical assistance to schools and school districts for the
purpose of creating healthy school nutrition environments.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that obesity is a state and national
health problem.  Missouri ranks 10th in the nation in the number
of obese persons.  Over 30,000 persons die annually in the U. S.
as a result of a primary or secondary condition of obesity.  It
is important that Missouri begin to promote greater awareness and
prevention of the problem of obesity.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Bland; Department of Health
and Senior Services; and Missouri State Medical Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am