Healthy living-healthy learning grants.

WORKING DRAFT
2006
STATE OF
WYOMING
06LSO-0211

HOUSE BILL
NO.
HB0072

Healthy living-healthy learning grants.

Sponsored by:
Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to education; creating the healthy living-healthy learning program account, as specified; providing for grants to school districts from the account; providing criteria for healthy living-healthy learning grants; establishing a maximum grant level; establishing a healthy living-healthy learning panel, as specified; granting rulemaking authority; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1.

W.S. 21
‑
24
‑
101 through 21-24-104 are created to read:

CHAPTER 24
HEALTHY LIVING-HEALTHY LEARNING GRANTS

21
‑
24
‑
101.

Healthy living-healthy learning; account established.

(a)

The healthy living-healthy learning program account is established to consist of funds appropriated to, or designated to the account by law, or by gift from whatever source, for distribution to school districts in accordance with this article. Within the limits of legislative appropriation, if any, the resources of the healthy living-healthy learning account shall be paid into the state treasury and shall be drawn out and distributed to the school districts upon certification of the state superintendent and upon vouchers approved by the state auditor payable to the treasurer of the several districts.

(b)

Any school district which meets the requirements of this chapter and rules and regulations promulgated by the department of education is eligible for funding from the account in an amount not to exceed sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000.00) or ten dollars ($10.00) per student, whichever is greater, for each fiscal year.

(c)

A school district applying for a grant under this chapter shall agree to continue implementation of healthy living-healthy learning practices even if continued funding is not available
.

(d)

The department of education shall make funding recommendations to the healthy living-healthy learning panel based, in part, on the amount of funding the local school district is willing to commit to implementing the goals of this chapter. The department of education shall make recommendations regarding a proportionate contribution to each participating school district from the account subject to the maximum amount established in subsection (b) of this section.

(e)

In addition to those funds appropriated to the account established under subsection (a) of this section the department may accept, and shall deposit to the account, any gifts, contributions, donations, grants or federal funds specifically given to the department for the benefit of promoting healthy living-healthy learning in Wyoming.

21
‑
24
‑
102.

Healthy living-healthy learning panel.

(a)

The department of education shall oversee and provide funding for the school districts from the healthy living-healthy learning account. The department of education shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying a funding application procedure, certification requirements for participating school districts, and an objective process for measuring outcomes in school districts implementing healthy living-healthy learning practices. Compliance with this chapter, rules promulgated under this chapter and guidelines set forth for comprehensive school health programs from the federal centers for disease control shall be considered by the department.

(b)

The healthy living-healthy learning panel shall consist of the following persons or their designees:

(i)

The state superintendent of public instruction;

(ii)

The director of the department of health;

(iii)

The attorney general;

(iv)

The director of the department of family services;

(v)

A teacher, a school nurse and a student appointed by the state superintendent of public instruction from districts which are implementing the healthy living-healthy learning program. The panel, upon recommendations from the department of education, shall make all grant funding determinations. The panel shall determine whether a local school district grant application meets the criteria established by this chapter.

(c)

Any expenses incurred in implementing this chapter shall be paid from the account by the department of education. Administrative expenses shall be minimized and shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the amounts appropriated by the legislature for implementing healthy living-healthy learning.

(d)

Those members of the panel who are not full-time employees of the state of
Wyoming
or of a school district shall receive per diem and mileage allowance as allowed to state employees for attending the meetings and performing the duties incumbent upon them as members of the panel. Those members of the panel who are not full-time employees of the state or full-time employees of a school district shall receive a salary of one hundred twenty
-five dollars ($125.00) per day.

21
‑
24
‑
103.

Application; selection by the panel; report on grants awarded.

(a)

Requests for initial or continued funding of healthy living-healthy learning grants may be submitted annually by any local school district to the panel on dates set by the department of education. Proposals shall be in a form provided and prescribed by the department of education.

(b)

The panel shall award grants only to those school districts which meet the standards required by this chapter and rules and regulations promulgated by the department of education.

(c)

In accordance with determinations of the panel, the department of education shall annually distribute funds to the school districts. Grants received under this article shall only be used for the purposes for which the grant is awarded and shall not be expended for any other program, activity or purpose.

(d)

The department of education shall, on behalf of the panel, annually report to the governor and the joint education interim committee on the selected school districts which receive funding. The report shall include an evaluation of the progress of each district in implementing the nine (9) components of healthy living-healthy learning specified in W.S. 21
‑
24
‑
104 and the outcomes achieved by each grantee.

21
‑
24
‑
104.

Qualifications.

(a)

A local school district shall submit to the panel with its grant application a plan for implementing the following nine
(9)
components of healthy living-healthy learning
within five (5) years of receiving initial funding under this chapter:

(i)

Health education and life skills as core academic subjects, with adequate instructional time and consistent with the national health education standards;

(ii)

Effective, enjoyable instructional programs of physical education and activity for all students in kindergarten through grade twelve (12) based on a written curriculum consistent with national standards for physical education;

(iii)

Prompt and efficient on-site access to school-based health services, including on-site screening, diagnosis, treatment and health counseling services provided by school nurses and by school health centers;

(iv)

Promotion of good eating habits among school-aged children and provision of proper nutritional guidance;

(v)

Health promotion for administrators, faculty, and school support staff, including school bus drivers, food service workers, building custodians and classroom aides;

(vi)

A comprehensive focus on psychological and social services counseling to address barriers to learning and healthy development;

(vii)

Assurance of a healthy school environment by promotion of positive social relationships and attitudes about school by providing safe and well-kept buildings and grounds;

(viii)

Promotion of family and community involvement through an environment that is culturally sensitive, in which parents feel valued and welcome, with supportive mission and policy statements;

(ix)

Utilization of available means to provide every student the chance to succeed academically, including family support, health and wellness initiatives, interagency efforts, and other creative, nontraditional approaches dictated by the specific needs and circumstances of students.

(b)

If a school district receives a grant pursuant to this chapter, the school facilities commission shall consider whether the district's schools have sufficient space to accomplish the purposes specified in paragraphs (a)(iii) and (vii) of this section and shall review the school district's five (5) year plan and any capital construction projects of that school district for those purposes.

Section 2.

This act is effective July 1, 2006.

(END)

1
HB0072