HB 373 Summary

• Establishes nutritional standards for foods and beverages sold in public and chartered nonpublic schools, including restrictions on a la carte beverage items and requirements that at least 50% of beverages meet calorie limits.

• Requires school districts to screen students in kindergarten, 3rd, 5th, and 9th grades for body mass index and weight status category, with results reported to parents and aggregated data to the department of education.

• Mandates that all public school students in grades K-12 engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to rigorous physical activity each school day, exclusive of recess, with exemptions for interscholastic athletics participation.

• Increases high school physical education requirements from one-half to one full unit for students entering 9th grade on or after July 1, 2010, and requires physical education teachers to be licensed by July 1, 2013.

• Establishes the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Council with representatives from medical, business, and education organizations to monitor student health improvements and make policy recommendations regarding nutrition and wellness standards.