School Groups Continue Opposition of Nutrition Bill

The Ohio House has delayed plans to advance a bipartisan bill designed to combat childhood obesity as school groups continued to express their opposition, despite previous revisions that would offer them to opt out of the "unfunded mandates." The House Health Committee heard from members of local school boards who asked lawmakers not to pass legislation that would require schools to provide 30 minutes of daily physical activity and impose certain nutrition standards. Chairwoman Rep. Barbara Boyd (D-Cleveland Hts.) said the proposal SB 210 and HB 373 needed further discussion by the Democratic caucus before it was ready for passage. It had been scheduled for a possible vote. The bill had strong bipartisan support coming out of the Ohio Senate, and in large part, this was due to the fact that the bill now includes tremendous flexibility for local school districts. So much flexibility, in fact, that the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, who represent local school superintendents, are now proponents of the legislation. The AMCNO strongly supports this legislation along with many other organizations that are part of the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Coalition. The AMCNO continues to advocate passage of these bills. For more information on the coalition go to their web site at http://www.healthychoiceshealthychildren.org/