HF 2589

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 05/03/2021 04:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to study and make
recommendations on addressing the high obesity rate among individuals with
intellectual disabilities; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin STUDY ON OBESITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITIES.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of human services
and relevant stakeholder groups, shall study and make recommendations on ways to address
the prevalence of obesity in individuals with intellectual disabilities due to a combination
of behavioral, environmental, and systemic factors, including but not limited to high-calorie
diets, lower physical activity and exercise, greater use of psychotropic medication, limited
opportunities for exercise, and lack of appropriate and targeted dietary and lifestyle advice
and education. The study and recommendations shall include:
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new text begin (1) options for tracking data on obesity among individuals with intellectual disabilities;
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new text begin (2) identifying barriers in providing effective weight management needs for individuals
with intellectual disabilities;
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new text begin (3) designing health promotion activities and dietary strategies for individuals with
intellectual disabilities to meet weight management needs including but not limited to healthy
eating, physical activity, and behavior change techniques;
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new text begin (4) developing communication strategies on identifying and communicating health risks
associated with obesity, the health benefits of physical activity, and how to make healthy
dietary and lifestyle choices; and
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new text begin (5) training opportunities for health care providers who provide services to individuals
with intellectual disabilities on how to provide effective and targeted weight management
of obesity through appropriate dietary intake, physical activity, health promotion, and health
education.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner shall submit recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health care policy and finance
by February 15, 2022.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2022 from the general fund to the commissioner of
health for the purposes described in section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
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