HB 1848 Summary

• Creates the "Healthy Active Arkansas Schools Act" requiring the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop guidance for public schools and open-enrollment charter schools on health and wellness priorities by the 2022-2023 school year.

• Establishes four priority areas: physical and built environment (including opportunities for students to walk between classes, participate in physical activities, promote school gardens, and compete in physical activity challenges); nutritional standards and healthy food access (including Department of Agriculture reimbursements up to 10 cents per meal for schools using local farm products with farm-to-school programs); physical education and activity standards (including minimum daily activity requirements and consideration of recess before lunch for elementary students); and breastfeeding practices and support.

• Requires public school districts and charter schools to implement nutrition and physical activity standards developed by the Child Health Advisory Committee and allows schools to receive recognition and rewards for creative implementation of the act.

• Authorizes the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to promulgate rules to implement the section and develop a recognition system for schools and districts implementing the act effectively.