HB231 - Relating to a study on food deserts and their disproportionate impact among communities of color.

  89R1934 JDK-D     By: Morales of Harris H.B. No. 231       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study on food deserts and their disproportionate   impact among communities of color.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a) In this section:                (1)  "Department" means the Department of State Health   Services.                (2)  "Food desert" means a geographic area in this   state the department determines is an area with limited access to   healthy and nutritious food.          (b)  The department, in collaboration with any appropriate   state agency, shall conduct a study on food deserts and any   disproportionate impact food deserts have on communities of color.   In conducting the study, the department shall:                (1)  investigate the causes of food deserts;                (2)  investigate the health effects of food deserts;                (3)  investigate the financial impact of food deserts;                (4)  compare access to healthy and nutritious food   related to an individual's:                      (A)  age;                      (B)  race and ethnicity; and                      (C)  socioeconomic background; and                (5)  investigate the origins of any disproportionate   impact food deserts have on communities of color.          (c)  Based on the results of the study conducted under this   section, the department shall develop recommendations for   legislative and other action to:                (1)  address disparities in food access among   communities of color; and                (2)  increase access to healthy and nutritious food.          (d)  Not later than September 1, 2026, the department shall   prepare and submit to each standing committee of the legislature   with primary jurisdiction over the Department of State Health   Services a written report summarizing the results of the study and   including the recommendations developed under this section.          (e)  This Act expires September 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.