Rhode Island § 16-21-28 - Health and Safety of Pupils

§ 16-21-28. Health and wellness subcommittee.

(a) The school committee of each school district shall establish a district-wide coordinated school health and wellness subcommittee chaired by a member of the full school committee. The subcommittee will make recommendations regarding the district’s health education curriculum and instruction, physical education curriculum and instruction, and nutrition and physical activity policies to decrease obesity and enhance the health and well being of students and employees.

(b) The school health and wellness subcommittee shall consist of members of the general public, a majority of whom are not employed by the school district, including at least one parent, and are encouraged to include teachers; administrator; students; community and school-based health professionals; business community representatives; and representatives of local and statewide nonprofit health organizations. The subcommittee will be chaired by a member of the school committee.

(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude the school committee from reconstituting any existing district-wide volunteer committees as the school health and wellness subcommittee so long as said committee membership meets the requirements of this section.

(d) The school health and wellness subcommittee shall be responsible for, but not limited to, development of policies, strategies, and implementation plans that promote purchasing and serving locally grown fruits, vegetables and dairy products and that meet the requirements of the child nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. The school health and wellness subcommittee shall forward all recommendations regarding the district’s health education curriculum and instruction, physical education curriculum and instruction, nutrition policies, and physical activity policies to the full school committee.

(e) Reporting shall be consistent with requirements of § 16-7.1-2(h).

(f) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education and the Rhode Island department of heath will provide technical assistance and support to the school health and wellness subcommittees on best practices, professional development on coordinated school health issues, suggested initiatives, and will support communication among the school health and wellness subcommittees by sharing information on the activities, efforts, and experiences of subcommittees across the state.