BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 949
Page 1
Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 949 (Jackson) - As Amended: June 26, 2014
Policy Committee: HealthVote:15-3
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to
establish a recognition program for after-school programs that
meet certain nutrition and physical activity criteria.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)One-time costs to DPH of $150,000 GF to issue regulations, and
$125,000 GF for information technology (IT) costs.
2)Assuming there are 5,000 after school programs statewide, and
10% of facility sites apply for recognition through this
program, estimated costs to DPH of $380,000 GF annually for
staff and travel costs to verify compliance with the bill's
requirements, as well as minor ongoing GF costs to maintain a
web site. Actual take-up of this voluntary recognition is
unknown.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . The author believes a voluntary certification for
after-school programs will help address poor nutrition and
lack of physical activity, which have caused a rise in
childhood obesity. The author contends it is common for
after-school programs to provide sugary drinks and junk food,
and relegate participants to watching TV and remaining
sedentary. The author believes after-school programs should be
recognized for providing excellent nutrition and physical
activity in their programs.
2)Background . After-school programs are offered by numerous
entities statewide, primarily school-affiliated public and
SB 949
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private non-profit entities. There is no central licensure or
regulatory entity that oversees all after-school programs,
though the majority receive state funding through the
California Department of Education (CDE) After School
Education and Safety (ASES) program and federal funds
(pursuant to Proposition 49 of 2002, ASES receives $550
million annually in state funding). Programs must meet certain
CDE standards in order to qualify for funding. If a program
seeks federal reimbursement for snacks or meals, the food must
meet federal nutrition standards. California-specific
standards apply for food sold to students.
DPH currently does not oversee any aspects of school or
after-school nutrition or physical activity programs. Some
programs within DPH do provide technical assistance and
information to assist school and after-school programs in
complying with regulations of other entities, such as the
United States Department of Agriculture or CDE. These DPH
resources are educational or advisory in nature, and DPH does
not issue or enforce any requirements. Therefore, DPH would
need to establish an infrastructure for registering and
verifying compliance for after-school programs who wished to
participate.
3)Staff Comments . Although listing an after-school program as
meeting program criteria on a state website implies the state
is responsible for overseeing compliance, this bill does not
clearly specify DPH must verify compliance. If DPH is not
meant to verify compliance, this recognition program more
appropriately belongs outside of state oversight.
In addition, most licensure and certification programs in
state government, including those administered by DPH, are
supported by fees paid by certified entities. This bill
requires DPH to establish a voluntary recognition program, but
does not identify a funding source nor establish fee support
for this program.
Analysis Prepared by : Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081