The proposed "Healthy Kids Act" aims to address the rising rates of childhood obesity in Rhode Island by establishing nutritional standards for children's meals offered in restaurants. Under this act, restaurants will be required to provide at least two children's meals, or 25% of their children's menu, that meet specific criteria: no more than 550 calories, 700 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of added sugars, 10% of calories from saturated fat, and zero grams of trans fat. Additionally, these meals must include servings from at least two of the five designated food groups, with at least one being a fruit or non-fried vegetable. The act also mandates that the default beverage for children's meals must be water, unflavored low-fat milk, or a nutritionally similar non-dairy alternative, without added sweeteners.

To ensure compliance, the Department of Health will be responsible for implementing and enforcing these standards, providing written resources in English and Spanish to assist restaurants and their employees. Restaurants will also be required to train their staff on these provisions and maintain records of the nutritional content of their children's meals. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to promote healthier eating habits among children in Rhode Island, particularly in light of the concerning statistics regarding childhood obesity in the state.