Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Study the Causes of and Solutions to the Epidemic of Childhood Obesity in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1111
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: GRATWICK, DENNO, DILL, LANGLEY, LIBBY, SAVIELLO, CARDONE, DEVIN, FOLEY, TUCKER

Legislative Document
No. 1111
S.P. 365
In Senate, March 21, 2017
Resolve, To Establish a Task Force To Study the Causes of and 
Solutions to the Epidemic of Childhood Obesity in Maine
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator GRATWICK of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative DENNO of Cumberland and
Senators: DILL of Penobscot, LANGLEY of Hancock, LIBBY of Androscoggin, SAVIELLO 
of Franklin, Representatives: CARDONE of Bangor, DEVIN of Newcastle, FOLEY of Wells, 
TUCKER of Brunswick.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the economic cost of obesity in the United States has been calculated to 
amount to as much as $190,000,000,000 annually; and 
Whereas, the National Institute for Children's Health Quality reports that almost 
30% of children in the State are either overweight or obese; and 
Whereas, the Department of Health and Human Services and the task force 
proposed by this resolve must begin their work as soon as possible in order to recommend 
legislation to establish and support obesity prevention and treatment programs; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene task 
force.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services shall convene 
a task force to study the epidemic of childhood obesity in Maine.  In addition to the 
commissioner's designees from the Department of Health and Human Services and 
representatives from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the 
commissioner shall invite the participation of interested stakeholders to serve as members 
of the task force, including but not limited to families that have been affected by obesity, 
representatives of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and 
representatives of the Maine Academy of Family Physicians; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Task force; duties.  Resolved:  That the task force convened under 
section 1 shall evaluate the epidemic of childhood obesity in the State.  The evaluation 
conducted by the task force must include, but is not limited to: 
1.  Delineating the scope of childhood obesity in the State; 
2.  Identifying groups that may be at particularly high risk for obesity; 
3.  Assessing the availability of prevention and treatment programs; and 
4.  A review of strategies proposed or adopted in other states and jurisdictions; and be 
it further 
Sec. 3.  Task force; report.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of Health and 
Human Services shall report the findings and conclusions of the task force, including any 
proposed legislation to address the task force's recommendations, to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Health and Human Services by December 6, 2017.  The joint standing 
committee is authorized to submit a bill related to the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 128th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene a 
task force to study the epidemic of childhood obesity in Maine.