SCS SB 73 -- MISSOURI COMMISSION ON OBESITY

SPONSOR:  Bland (Holand)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 11 to 3.

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 cooperate 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, 2005.

The commission will consist of 22 members and is required to
conduct its first meeting by October 1, 2003, and quarterly
thereafter.  The commission is required to submit a report to the
Governor and the House Budget and Senate Appropriations
committees by August 28, 2005.  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, 2004.  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:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that obesity is a state and national
health problem.  Currently, over 71 million persons are affected
by obesity and obesity-related health problems.  An increasing
number of Missouri residents are obese, and the number of
children who are obese is increasing.  It is important that
Missouri begin to promote greater awareness and prevention of the
problem of obesity.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Bland; and American Heart
Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am