SENATE PASSES MEASURE TO IMPLEMENT HEALTHY HABITS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Measure aims to reduce childhood obesity

AUGUSTA—Today, in a bipartisan 24-10 vote, the Maine Senate passed a measure to ensure schools support healthy practices for students.

“Students are physically growing,” said Senator Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth. “In order to support the healthy growth or their mind and body, they need adequate time for physical activity.”

The measure would require public schools to ensure that children in kindergarten through fifth grade have at least thirty minutes of physical activity each school day. Currently, teachers and school administrators may take away recess as a disciplinary action. This bill would require a teacher to provide students with a substitute option for physical activity if the student’s recess is taken away.

“We need to be providing more opportunity for students to learn healthy habits,” said Senator Millett. “Taking away the opportunity to exercise does nothing to help our students, and in fact can send the wrong message about their health.”

In 2012, the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reported that by 2030 more than half of all Mainers would be obese. This contributes to both a reduction in quality of life and rising healthcare costs.

The bill, LD 1160, “An Act to Reduce Obesity Among School Children,” will now go to the House for further votes.

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