Ohio S.B. 24, 128^th General Assembly
Nutritional Standards – School Vending Machines
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_24

• Establishes nutritional standards for food sold to students through a vending machine in schools operated by school districts, community schools, and STEM schools.
• Restricts the sale of beverages to students through a vending machine in schools operated by school districts, community schools, and STEM schools.
• Prohibits the sale to students through a vending machine of specified beverages in a size that exceeds 12 ounces.
• Prohibits school districts, community schools, and STEM schools from permitting the sale to students through a vending machine of any beverage that is carbonated or that contains more than 150 calories per serving.
• Specifies that the restrictions regarding food and beverage sales described in the bill do not apply to food and beverage items sold in vending machines accessible only to school district, community school, or STEM school employees.
• Requires school districts to adopt standards governing beverage sales on school premises (in addition to food sales as under current law) and applies the requirement for adoption of standards regulating food and beverage sales on school premises to community schools and STEM schools.

Introduced by: Senator Eric H. Kearney (D), District 9

Bill establishes generally that acceptable beverages include unflavored water, milk, fruit or vegetable juices containing at least 50% juice and no added sweeteners, nectar or other fruit-based beverages containing at least 35% fruit and no added sweeteners, and electrolyte replacement beverages. This bill prohibits a school district, community school, or STEM school from entering into a contract with a food or beverage vendor if the contract would require selling the food or beverage to students in violation of the bill's provisions. It does provide an exemption from the restrictions regarding food and beverage sales described in the preceding dot point for sales under preexisting contracts between school districts or public schools and food or beverage vendors.

Date introduced: 2/10/09
Committee Assigned: Education, Chair: Gary Cates (R)