The bill amends the Education Code to improve health and nutrition standards in Texas schools, particularly for students in full-day prekindergarten through eighth grade. It mandates at least 30 minutes of daily moderate or vigorous physical activity and prohibits penalizing students with restrictions on physical activities due to academic performance or behavior. Additionally, it requires nutrition instruction in health curricula and introduces a new elective course on nutrition and wellness for high school students. The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is established to develop nutritional guidelines and oversee these standards, focusing on the impact of nutrition on health, especially regarding ultra-processed foods and chronic diseases.

Moreover, the bill enhances food labeling regulations by requiring warning labels on products containing specific artificial colors, additives, or banned chemicals. It mandates that health-related institutions of higher education develop specific curricula by July 1, 2027, to maintain funding eligibility, and it requires the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to submit an initial report by September 1, 2026. The bill also emphasizes continuing education in nutrition for licensed healthcare professionals, with new rules applying to license renewals filed on or after January 1, 2027. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.002 (Education Code 28)
House Committee Report: Education Code 28.002, Occupations Code 701.304 (Education Code 28, Occupations Code 701)