HBA-CCH H.C.R. 223 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.C.R. 223 By: Coleman Public Health 3/30/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diets deficient in calcium are associated with many health disorders such as osteoporosis, hypertension, preeclampsia, and colon cancer. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development concludes that inadequate calcium consumption among children and adolescents is a growing problem and a serious threat to their later health, growth, and development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the diets of more than 50 percent of children are calcium deficient, and only 13 percent of teenage girls consume enough calcium to develop strong bones that support full growth. Many children and adolescents have calcium deficient diets as a result of consuming foods and beverages that are low in calcium and drinking soft drinks that rob the body of calcium or increase the need for calcium. House Concurrent Resolution 223 directs the Texas Department of Health to prepare a list of available foods and beverages fortified with calcium and to forward the list and this resolution to the Texas Education Agency and each primary and secondary school in Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Concurrent Resolution 223 directs the Texas Department of Health to prepare a list of available foods and beverages that are naturally fortified with calcium and to forward the list, along with a copy of this resolution, to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and each primary and secondary school in Texas.