Healthy Meal Time Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-5463
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
Introduced: 2019-12-17
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Child health

Elementary and secondary education

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Nutrition and diet
Latest action: action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-12-17
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Healthy Meal Time Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into an agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches are served, the time that recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.</p> <p>USDA must also</p> <ul> <li>make the findings of the study publicly available online;</li> <li>establish a task force, in coordination with the Department of Education, to review the study, review other related research, and develop best practices for lunch and recess periods to ensure student health, including appropriate nutritional intake; and</li> <li>issue guidance regarding such best practices to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5463 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 17, 2019 Ms. Schrier (for herself and Ms. Bonamici ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require a study of the time and duration of school lunch periods, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Healthy Meal Time Act of 2019 . 2. Meal time study and guidance The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1769 ) is amended by inserting after section 26 the following: 27. Meal time study and guidance (a) Study The Secretary shall— (1) not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are first appropriated under subsection (c), enter into an agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches are served, recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods at schools participating in the school lunch program under this Act; and (2) not later than 4 years after the date on which funds are first appropriated under subsection (c), publish on the publicly available website of the Department a report that includes the findings of the study required under paragraph (1). (b) Development and dissemination of best practices The Secretary shall— (1) not later than 1 year after the date on which the report required under subsection (a)(2) is published, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, establish a task force to— (A) review such report; (B) review other research relating to the time lunches are served, recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods in schools; and (C) develop best practices with respect to the time lunches are served, recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods in schools to ensure student health, including appropriate nutritional intake; and (2) not later than 2 years after the date on which the report required under subsection (a)(2) is published— (A) review the best practices developed under paragraph (1)(C); and (B) issue guidance with respect to such best practices to schools participating in the school lunch program under this Act. (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, to remain available until expended. .