Public Health Legal Preparedness Materials

The CDC Public Health Law Program conducted a systematic search of both LexisNexis and Thomas (a legislative information service of the Library of Congress) to identify obesity-related legislation.    For the most recent legislative action, readers should refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/.  

• S.2558 Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention American Act or HeLP America Act:   The purpose of this bill is to improve the health of Americans and minimize health care costs by restructuring the Nation's health care system towards prevention, wellness, and self care. Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, [IA] (introduced 6/22/2004)
  Summary:  S. 2558 (Web link) Full Text:  S. 2558 (Web link)
  (Posted: 08/26/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• S.2399 Healthy Lifestyles Act of 2004:  This bill provides for the implementation of physical activity and nutrition in schools, worksites, and communities to help prevention efforts of obesity for all Americans. Sponsor: Sen. Fitzgerald [IL] (introduced 5/10/2004)
  Summary:  S.2399 (Web link) Full Text:  S.2399 (Web link)
  (Posted: 08/26/2004 3:00 PM)
   
• S. 18. Right Start Act of 2003:   A bill to improve early learning opportunities and promote preparedness by increasing the availability of Head Start programs, to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care, to reduce child hunger and encourage healthy eating habits, to facilitate parental involvement, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Daschle [SD] (introduced 1/7/2003) Related Bills: H.R.2363 Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file)
   
• S. 1172.  IMPACT Act (Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act):   A bill to establish grants to provide health services for improved nutrition, increased physical activity, obesity prevention, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Frist [TN] (introduced 6/3/2003).  Latest Major Action: 2/3/2004. Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health   Summary: (PDF file) Full Text: (PDF file)
   
• S. 1392.  A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve the nutrition of students served under child nutrition programs. Sponsor: Sen. Harkin [IA] (introduced 7/10/2003).  Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text:  (PDF file)
   
• S. 1428.   Commonsense Consumption Act of 2003:   A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against food manufacturers, marketers, distributors, advertisers, sellers, and trade associations for damages or injunctive relief for claims of injury resulting from a person's weight gain, obesity, or any health condition related to weight gain or obesity. Sponsor: Sen. McConnell [KY] (introduced 7/17/2003).  Latest Major Action: 10/16/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. Hearings held.  Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file)  
   
• H.CON. RES.76.  Recognizing the health risks associated with childhood obesity and encouraging parents to promote healthy weight and increased physical activity to their children. Sponsor: Rep. Tiberi [OH-12] (introduced 2/27/2003).  Latest Major Action: 3/10/2003 Referred to House subcommittee.  Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health  Summary: (PDF file)   Full Text: (PDF file) 
   
• H.R. 716.  To establish grants to provide health services for improved nutrition, increased physical activity, obesity prevention, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Bono [CA-45] (introduced 2/12/2003).  Latest Major Action: 2/26/2003.  Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.  Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file)
   
• H.R. 1022.  Urban and Rural Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Act of 2003. To provide assistance for the development of indoor disease prevention and health promotion centers in urban and rural areas throughout the United States. Sponsor: Rep. Sanders [VT] (introduced 2/27/2003).  Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003.  Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.  Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file)
   
• H.R. 1470.  WISEWOMAN Expansion Act of 2003.   To reduce health care costs and promote improved health by providing supplemental grants for additional preventive health services for women. Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro [CT-3] (introduced 3/27/2003).  Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003.  Referred to House subcommittee.  Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.   Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file) 
   
• H.R. 2227.  Obesity Prevention Act.  To encourage innovative school-based activities to help reduce and prevent obesity among children, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Castle [DE] (introduced 5/22/2003).  Latest Major Action: 6/30/2003.   Referred to House subcommittee.  Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.  Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file)
   
• H.R. 2363.  Right Start Act of 2003.  To improve early learning opportunities and promote preparedness by increasing the availability of Head Start programs, to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care, to reduce child hunger and encourage healthy eating habits, to facilitate parental involvement, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro [CT-3] (introduced 6/5/2003).  Latest Major Action: 6/30/2003.  Referred to House subcommittee.  Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.  Related Bills: S.18  Summary:  (PDF file)  Full Text:  (PDF file)
   
• H.R. 2987.  To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve the nutrition of students served under child nutrition programs. Sponsor: Rep Woolsey [CA-6] (introduced 7/25/2003).  Latest Major Action: 8/13/2003.  Referred to House subcommittee.  Summary: (PDF file)  Full Text: (PDF file)

• Pelman v. McDonald's Corp.  No. 02 Civ. 7821 (S.D.N.Y. 2003).   A class action lawsuit brought by two obese teenagers alleging that a fast food chain's business practices made them obese.
  (PDF file)
  (Posted: 09/16/2004 4:00 PM)
   

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