BILL NUMBER: SB 875	CHAPTERED  10/12/03

	CHAPTER  879
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 12, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 12, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 4, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 21, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 21, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 10, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 19, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 20, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 5, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 23, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Escutia

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act to add Section 123232 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to nutrition, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take
effect immediately.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 875, Escutia.  Child and parental nutrition.
   Existing law requires the State Department of Health Services to
maintain a program of maternal and child health.  Existing law
requires the department to investigate and disseminate educational
information relating to conditions affecting the health of the
children of the state.
   This bill would require the department to develop or obtain a
brochure to educate pregnant women and new parents about issues
related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing chronic
diseases in pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.  The
bill would require the department to include the brochure on the
department's Web site.  The bill would also require that the brochure
be distributed by the department to each individual who contacts the
BabyCal program and receives certain information and by a provider
to each participant in the Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM)
program, as prescribed.  The bill would provide that it shall only be
implemented if, and to the extent that, federal or private funds, or
both, are available for that purpose.
  This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an
urgency statute.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The obesity and chronic disease rates of children and adults
in California have skyrocketed over the past 30 years.
   (b) Pregnant women and new mothers are especially at risk for
these and other health problems because of time constraints,
increased stress levels, and the need for additional nutritional
supplements while breastfeeding.
   (c) Children ages 0 to 5 years are also suffering from Type-2
diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure levels, and even
cardiovascular disease and cancer because of poor eating habits and
lack of physical activity.
   (d) These issues are exacerbated in households with lower incomes.

  SEC. 2.  Section 123232 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   123232.  (a) The department shall develop or obtain a brochure to
educate pregnant women and new parents about the important role in
maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing chronic diseases of
both of the following:
   (1) Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
   (2) Staying active every day.
   (b) The brochure shall address how proper nutrition and exercise
help prevent the development of chronic disease in pregnant women,
new mothers, and young children.  The brochure shall also include
information regarding the critical role of fruits and vegetables in a
person's diet, especially as an important source of vitamins and
nutrients to new mothers and their breast milk.
   (c) The department shall include the brochure on the department's
Web site.
   (d) The brochure shall be distributed as follows:
   (1) By the department to each individual who contacts the BabyCal
program and receives a package of information from the program.
   (2) By a provider to each participant in the Access for Infants
and Mothers (AIM) program one time during the participant's
pregnancy.
   (e) The brochure shall be available in both English and Spanish.
   (f) This section shall be implemented only if, and to the extent
that, federal or private funding, or both, are available for that
purpose.
  SEC. 3.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect.  The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to prevent and control the epidemic of obesity and
chronic disease in this state, it is necessary that this act take
effect immediately.