2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 40 - Public Health and Safety
RS 40:2018.4 - Louisiana Obesity Prevention and Management Commission

§2018.4. Louisiana Obesity Prevention and Management Commission

A. There is hereby established in the Department of Health and Hospitals a commission designated the Louisiana Obesity Prevention and Management Commission ("commission"), composed of ten members as provided for in this Section. The commission may accept and expend grants and private donations from any source, including federal, state, public, and private entities, to assist it to carry out its functions.

B. The powers, functions, and duties of the commission shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) Assisting the executive departments and agencies in achieving programmatic goals. To this end, the commission shall provide leadership and support for:

(a) Organizational efforts found necessary to achieve programmatic objectives.

(b) Articulating standards through the dissemination of materials, identification of expert opinion, identification of alternate means of developing effective population-based programs, and development of policy in identified health risks.

(c) Creating awareness among payers, providers, and patients of the health risks due to overweight and obesity conditions.

(d) Enhancing reporting mechanisms of latest outcomes and health trends in the area of overweight and obesity concerns.

(e) Conducting evaluations of program effectiveness.

(f) Encouraging research and the identification of resources that seek ways to promote cost-effective methods of treating overweight and obesity conditions.

(2) Assisting in conducting exploratory research as deemed necessary with the intent of achieving programmatic objectives.

(3) Conducting public meetings to discuss obesity.

(4) Advising and assisting participating agencies with the development and implementation of obesity programs.

(5) Analyzing what other entities across the state are doing to combat obesity.

(6) Advising the executive departments and agencies as to the implementation of the commission's recommendations.

C. The commission shall convene its first meeting no later than August 31, 2014. At the first meeting the chairman and vice chairman of the commission shall be appointed by the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals with the consultation and approval of the commission. The commission may adopt such rules of procedure as are necessary to facilitate orderly conduct of its business.

D. The commission shall be composed of the following members:

(1) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or his designee.

(2) The state superintendent of education, or his designee.

(3) The commissioner of insurance, or his designee.

(4) The president of the Senate, or his designee.

(5) The speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee.

(6) The director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, or his designee.

(7) The director of the Prevention Research Center at Tulane University, or his designee.

(8) Two members from community-based groups elected by the other commission members at their first meeting. These two members shall serve a term of two years and may be elected by the other commission members to serve additional terms.

(9) The director of the Cecil J. Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong Learning, or his designee.

E. Nonlegislative members of the commission shall not be entitled to per diem or any other compensation for their service but shall be entitled to reimbursement of any necessary and reasonable expense incurred in the performance of their duties on the commission, including travel expenses. Each legislative member of the commission shall receive the same per diem and travel reimbursement for attending meetings of the commission as is normally provided for members of the legislature.

F. The commission shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings shall also be held on call of the chairman or at the request of at least three members of the commission. Presence of a majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

G. The commission shall submit an annual report, including proposed legislation if necessary, to the governor and to the health and welfare committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, sixty days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session. The report shall update the legislature on the commission's progress toward full implementation of services and programs in the state to increase prevention and management of the disease of obesity in adults and children.

H. The legislative authority for the existence of the commission shall cease on March 31, 2016.

Acts 2014, No. 580, §2, eff. June 9, 2014.