SF 2285 (LSB 5718SV (3) 85)

SENATE FILE 2285

BY  COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 2144)

(As Amended and Passed by the Senate 2014-03-03)

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing an Iowa healthiest children initiative in the department of public health and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  135.181  Iowa healthiest children initiative.
   1.  The Iowa healthiest children initiative is established in the department. The purpose of the initiative is to develop and implement a plan for Iowa children to become the healthiest children in the nation by January 1, 2020. The areas of focus addressed by the initiative shall include improvement of physical, dental, emotional, behavioral, and mental health and wellness; access to basic needs such as food security, appropriate nutrition, safe and quality child care settings, and safe and stable housing, neighborhoods, and home environments; and promotion of healthy, active lifestyles by addressing adverse childhood events, reducing exposures to environmental toxins, decreasing exposures to violence, advancing tobacco-free and drug abuse-free living, increasing immunization rates, and improving family well-being.
   2.  The department shall create a task force, including members who are child health experts external to the department, to develop an implementation plan to achieve the purpose of the initiative. The implementation plan, including findings, recommendations, performance benchmarks, data collection provisions, budget needs, and other implementation provisions shall be submitted to the governor and general assembly on or before December 15, 2014.
    Sec. 2.  EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.