HB642: HB642 Georgia Dye Free School Meals Act; enact

25 LC 61 0174 House Bill 642 By: Representatives Lim of the 98th, Carpenter of the 4th, and Au of the 50th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O fficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to student health, so as to prohibit public primary and secondary schools2 from serving or selling, or allowing a third party to serve or sell, food or beverages that3 contain synthetic dye; to provide for a definition; to provide for certification of compliance;4 to provide legislative findings; to provide a short title; to p rovide for related matters; to5 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Dye Free School Meals Act."9 SECTION 2.10 The General Assembly finds that:11 (1) Scientific research has demonstrated that synthetic food d yes can contribute to12 hyperactivity, inattention, restlessness, sleeplessness, irritability, aggression, and other13 behavioral challenges in some children. These effects can impa ct a child's ability to14 learn, focus, and participate in educational activities; and15 H. B. 642 - 1 - 25 LC 61 0174 (2) Taxpayer funded meal and snack programs provided to childr en in public schools16 should support, not hinder, a child's cognitive and behavioral development. School meals17 and snacks should prioritize nourishment to promote the health and well-being of children18 and their abilities to meet educational expectations.19 SECTION 3.20 Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official C ode of Georgia Annotated,21 relating to student health, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:22 "20-2-779.5.23 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'synthetic dye' means:24 (1) Blue 1;25 (2) Blue 2;26 (3) Green 3;27 (4) Red 3;28 (5) Red 40;29 (6) Yellow 5; or30 (7) Yellow 6.31 (b) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, no public primary or secondary school shall32 serve or sell, or allow a third party to serve or sell, any foo d or beverage that contains33 synthetic dye on school grounds during the regular school day o r as part of a school34 breakfast program.35 (c) This Code section shall not be construed so as to prohibit the parent or guardian of a36 student at a public primary or secondary school from providing food or beverages that37 contain synthetic dye to such parent's or guardian's child or for a school or classroom event.38 (d) The Department of Education shall develop a standardized f orm that public primary39 and secondary schools may use to certify that such schools are in compliance with the40 provisions of this Code section. The Department of Education s hall maintain a list of41 H. B. 642 - 2 - 25 LC 61 0174 schools that have certified compliance with the provisions of this Code section and shall42 make such list available on its public website."43 SECTION 4.44 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.45 H. B. 642 - 3 -