Act on School Wellness and Nutrition Standards (RPPL No. 10-13 of 2017)

Tm:nmy F.. Remengesau, Jr. flJ~ November 8, 2017 Serial No. 17-343 Republic of Palau Office ol d,e ~ileHt The Honorable Hokkons Baules President of the Senate 10th Olbiil Era Kelulau Ngerulmud, Palau National Capitol Republic of Palau 96939 P.O. Boa 6051, Palau, PW 96940 Tel. (680) 767-2403/2828 Fu. (680) 767•a424/ 1662 Email: i"Op.pn=ddtm~com Signing Statement RE: House Bill No. 10-9-1, HDl, SDI - School Wellness and Nutrition Standards Dear President Baules: It is my pleasure to sign HB 10-9-1, HDl, SDI into law, and in so doing to strike a blow against childhood obesity and other non-communicable diseases in our Republic. Childhood obesity is not just a Palauan or Pacific problem, but one facing nearly every nation, rich and poor, around the globe. The proliferation of cheap, tasty and addictive high-calorie low-value "junk food" has contributed meaningfully to the rise of non-communicable diseases like diabetes in our country, and in many others. And while the Ministry of Education disagrees with your legislative :finding that such 'Junk food" is sold in schools - and would remind you that there is actually no store or food for sale on public school campuses, we can certainly all do a better, more proactive job of getting good nutrition to our students. We would do well to address this challenge in the same way we identified it -with careful attention to science-based nutrition standards and best practices. I was pleased to see this very approach taken in the drafting of HB l 0-9-1, HD 1, SD 1. By empowering the Ministries of Health and Education to promulgate wellness and nutrition standards for our nation's schools, you have set the course to make a real difference in the health of om young citizens. By singling out Sodimn, Sugar, Monos.odium Glutamate, and Saturated Fat, you are pointing clearly to the most significant known contributors to obesity and non-communicable disease. By delegating the task of establishing specific "science-based" nutrition standards to the Ministries, you have set up a process flexible enough to incorporate evolving scientific knowledge. I applaud you for your consistent attention to the well being of Palauan childre~ and look forward to ftnther collaboration on improving the services our students receive in schools throughout the Republic. Sincerely, 2 Tommy F. Remengesau, Jr. !rJ"4iduw November 8, 2017 Serial No. 17-343 R e public of Palau O(lic.e o/ M e ~res.7Jent The Honorable Sabino Anastacio Speaker of the House of Delegates 10th Olbiil Era Kelulau Ngerulmud, Palau National Capitol Republic of Palau 96939 P.O. BOil 6051, Palau, PW 96940 Tel. (680) 767-2403/2828 Fu. (6801767-2424/1662 Email: rop.~et.com Signing Statement RE: House Bill No. 10-9-1, HDl, SD1 - School Wellness and Nutrition Standards Dear Speaker Anastacio: It is my pleasure to sign HB 10-9-1, HD 1, SD 1 into law, and in so doing to strike a blow against childhood obesity and other non-communicable diseases in our Republic. Childhood obesity is not just a Palauan or Pacific problem but one facing nearly every nation, rich and poor, around the globe. The proliferation of cheap, tasty and addictive high-calorie low-value "junk food" has contributed meaningfully to the rise of non-communicable diseases like diabetes in our country, and in many others. And while the Ministry of Education disagrees with your legislative finding that such "junk food' is sold in schools - and would remind you that there is actually no store or food for sale on public school campuses, we can certainly all do a better, more proactive job of getting good nutrition to our students. We would do well to address this challenge in the same way we identified it-with careful attention to science-based nutrition standards and best practices. I was pleased to see this very approach taken in the drafting ofHB 10-9-1, HDI, SDI. By empowering the Ministries of Health and Education to promulgate wellness and nutrition standards for our nation's schools, you have set the course to make a real difference in the health of our young citizens. By singling out Sodium, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, and Saturated Fat, you are pointing clearly to the most significant known contributors to obesity and non-communicable disease. By delegating the task of establishing specific "science-based" nutrition standards to the Ministries, you have set up a process flexible enough to incorporate evolving scientific knowledge. I applaud you for your consistent attention to the wellbeing of Palauan children, and look forward to further collaboration on improving the services our students receive in schools throughout the Republic. Sincerely, 2 RPPL NO. 10-13 ---------~ TENTH OLBIIL ERA KELULAU FOURTH REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 HOUSE BILL NO. 10-9-1, BDl, sol AN ACT SEE TITLE INSIDE OFFERED BY DELEGATE(S) Al l D el · e-'g.. a t e s ET AL, DATE INTRODUCED J a n uary ,. 2 7~,'--2 0 1 7 HOUSE ACTION FIRST READING: REFERRED TO: STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO: DATE ADOPTED: SECOND READING: LEGAL FORMAT: REVIEW: THIRD READING: FINAl ACTION: January 27, 2017 DSC and *EYA 10-17 April 18, 2017 April 18, 2017 Proper April 18, 2017 April 27, 2017 November 02, 2017 SENATE ACTION FIRST READING: REFERRED TO: STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO: DATE ADOPTED: SECOND READING: LEGAL FORMAT: REVIEW: THIRD READING: FINAL ACTION: May 02., 2017 Health and Education 10-57 October 25., 2017 October 25, 2017 Proper October 30., 2017 October 31, 2017 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ACTION DATE: None COMMITTEE REPORT: None DATE PASSEO: r None ~ HOUSE CLERK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 TENTH OLBIIL ERA KELULAU First Regular Session, January 2017 AN ACT RPPL No. 10-13 (Passed as House Bill No. 10-9-1, HDI, SDI) To amend Title 22 to include a new Chapter 9 to implement school wellness and nutrition standards for all schools, and for other related purposes. THE PEOPLE OF PALAU REPRESENTED IN THE OLBIIL ERA KELULAU DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Legislative findings. The Olbiil Era Kelulau finds that the future of the Republic of Palau lies in the hands of our bright and promising children. Throughout their illustrious educational experience in the exceptional public and private schools of the Republic, their minds are fed with necessary knowledge so that in due time, they will be competent and exceptional leaders to continue to drive the Republic of Palau forward into the next generation. At the same time, with the increasing availability of junk food items being sold in the schools, the children of the Republic are not being fed the nutrients they need to succeed in life. The Olbiil Era Kelulau finds that it is in the best interests of the Republic of Palau to ensure our children's minds and bodies are filled with the best local food items and information available. The purpose of this bill is to establish school wellness and nutrition standards, and to prohibit the sale of food items that promote obesity and lead to the onset of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. Section 2. Amendment. Title 22 is amended to include a new Chapter 9 as follows: "Chapter 9 School Wellness and Nutrition Standards § 901. School Wellness and Nutrition Standards. (a) The Ministry of Health, in consultation with the Ministry of Education, shall promulgate regulations that provide a framework and guideline for all schools in the Republic of Palau to establish school wellness and nutrition standards, including, at a minimum: (1) goals for promotion and education of proper nutrition and substance use, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness; and (2) nutrition guidelines for the reduction of childhood obesity. (b) The Ministry of Education shall promulgate regulations to implement the school wellness and nutrition, including: Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 RPPL No. 10-13 (Passed as House Bill No. 10-9-1, HDI, SDI) (1) a requirement that each school permit appropriate persons such as parents, students, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the general public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the school wellness and nutrition standards; (2) a requirement that each school inform and update the parents and students about the content and implementation of the school wellness and nutrition standards by whatever means may effectively publicize the standards, including radio, television, newspaper, or other mediums; and (3) a requirement that the Ministry of Education periodically measure and make available to the public an assessment on the implementation of the school wellness and nutrition standards, including the extent to which schools are in compliance with the school wellness and nutrition standards. § 902. Technical assistance and best practices. The Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, shall provide information and technical assistance to local schools and school food authorities, for use in establishing healthy school environments that are intended to promote student health and wellness. § 903. National school nutrition standards. (a) In accordance with the school wellness and nutrition standards, the Ministry of Education shall promulgate regulations to establish science-based nutrition standards for foods sold in schools. (b) In establishing nutrition standards under this section, the Ministry of Education shall: (1) establish standards that are consistent with the dietary guidelines as established by the Ministry of Health, including the essential food groups to encourage the consumption of necessary nutrients identified in the dietary guidelines; and (2) consider Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 RPPL No. 10-13 (Passed as House Bill No. 10-9-1, HDJ, SDI) (A) authoritative scientific recommendations for nutrition standards; (B) local diet and customary food items produced in the Republic of Palau; (C) the practical application of the nutrition standards; and (D) special exemptions for school-sponsored fundraisers, if the fundraisers are approved by the school Parent Teacher Association and are infrequent within the school. § 904. Prohibition of sale of certain food items on school property. (a) The Ministry of Education, working in coordination with the Ministry of Health, shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this Chapter to prohibit certain beverage and food items known to contribute to obesity and the onset of non-communicable diseases. In promulgating these regulations, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health shall consider factors, including but not be limited to: (1) the item's sodium content; (2) the item's sugar content; (3) the presence of monosodium glutamate; and (4) the item's saturated fat content. (b) Any person found in violation of subsection (a) or subsection 905 of this Chapter shall be guilty of a violation and liable for a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) per occurrence. § 905. Prohibition of use of public funds. No public funds shall be used by any public or private school to acquire and distribute food items that are known to contribute to obesity and the onset of non-communicable diseases." Section 3. Effective date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the President of the Republic of Palau, or upon its becoming law without such approval. Page 3 of 4 PASSED: November 02, 2017 Approved this-- -~-- day of RPPL No. 1~13 (Passed as House Bill No. 10-9-1, HDl, SDl) emengesau, Jr. epublic of Palau Page 4 of 4