[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2367 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2367
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out programs and
activities that connect the people of the United States, especially
children, youth, and families, with the outdoors.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 21, 2014
Mr. Udall of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Bennet, and Mrs. Gillibrand)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out programs and
activities that connect the people of the United States, especially
children, youth, and families, with the outdoors.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) Children today are spending less time outdoors than any
generation in human history, as evidenced by studies that show
children enjoy half as much time outdoors today as they did
just 20 years ago, while spending more than 7\1/2\ hours every
day in front of electronic media.
(2) The health of our children is at risk as evidenced by
the growing obesity crisis where, in the past 30 years,
childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and
quadrupled in adolescents, costing the economy of the United
States billions of dollars each year.
(3) Our military readiness is declining as nearly 1 in 4
applicants to the military is rejected for being overweight or
obese, which is the most common reason for medical
disqualification.
(4) Research has shown that military children and families
are facing increased stress and mental strain and challenges
due to multiple, extended deployments. Military family service
organizations have developed programs that connect military
children and families with positive, meaningful outdoor
experiences that benefit mental and physical health, but they
lack sufficient resources to meet increasing demand.
(5) In addition to the negative economic impact of
childhood obesity, the outdoor retail industry, many local
tourist destinations or ``gateway communities'', and State fish
and wildlife agencies rely on revenue generated when
individuals spend time outdoors to create jobs in local
communities.
(6) Over the past several years, urbanization, changing
land use patterns, increasing road traffic, and inadequate
solutions to addressing these challenges in the built
environment have combined to make it more difficult for many
people of the United States to walk or bike to schools, parks,
and play areas or experience the natural environment in
general.
(7) Spending time in green spaces outside the home,
including public lands, parks, play areas, and gardens, can
increase concentration, inhibition of initial impulses, and
self-discipline and has been shown to reduce stress and mental
fatigue. In one study, children who were exposed to greener
environments in a public housing area demonstrated less
aggression, violence, and stress.
(8) Visitation to our Nation's public lands has declined or
remained flat in recent years, and yet, connecting with nature
and the great outdoors in our communities is critical to
fostering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts who will
visit, appreciate, and become stewards of our Nation's public
lands.
(9) Spending time outdoors in nature is beneficial to our
children's physical, mental, and emotional health and has been
proven to decrease symptoms of attention deficit and
hyperactivity disorder, stimulate brain development, improve
motor skills, result in better sleep, reduce stress, increase
creativity, improve mood, and reduce children's risk of
developing myopia.
(10) Children who spend time playing outside are more
likely to take risks, seek out adventure, develop self-
confidence, and respect the value of nature. A direct childhood
experience with nature before the age of 11 promotes a long-
term connection to nature.
(11) Conservation education and outdoor recreation
experiences such as camping, hiking, boating, hunting, fishing,
archery, recreational shooting, wildlife watching, and others
are critical to engaging young people in the outdoors.
(12) As children become more disconnected from the natural
world, the hunting and angling conservation legacy of America
is at risk.
(13) Hunters and anglers play a critical role in
reconnecting young people with nature, protecting our natural
resources, and fostering a lifelong understanding of the value
of conserving the natural world.
(14) Research demonstrates that hunters who become engaged
in hunting as children are among the most active and interested
hunters as adults. The vast majority of hunters report they
were introduced to hunting between the ages of 10 and 12, and
the overwhelming majority of children are introduced to hunting
by an adult.
(15) Parks and recreation, youth-serving, service-learning,
conservation, health, education, and built-environment
organizations, facilities, and personnel provide critical
resources and infrastructure for connecting children and
families with nature.
(16) It takes many dedicated men and women to work to
preserve, protect, enhance, and restore America's natural
resources, and with an aging workforce in the natural resource
professions, it is critical for the next generation to have an
appreciation for nature and be ready to take over these
responsibilities.
(17) Place-based service-learning opportunities use our
lands and waters as the context for learning by engaging
students in the process of exploration, action, and reflection.
Physical activity outdoors connected with meaningful community
service to solve real-world problems, such as removing invasive
plants or removing trash from a streambed, strengthens
communities by engaging youth as citizen stewards.
(18) States nationwide and their community-based partners
have some notable programs that connect children and families
with nature; however, most States lack sufficient resources and
a comprehensive strategy to effectively engage State agencies
across multiple fields.
(19) States need to engage in cross-sector agency and
nonprofit collaboration that involves public health and
wellness, parks and recreation, transportation and city
planning, and other sectors focused on connecting children and
families with the outdoors to increase coordination and
effective implementation of the policy tools and programs that
a State can bring to bear to provide outdoor opportunities for
children and families.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State; or
(B) a consortium from one State that may include
such State and municipalities, entities of local or
tribal governments, parks and recreation departments or
districts, school districts, institutions of higher
education, or nonprofit organizations.
(2) Local partners.--The term ``local partners'' means a
municipality, entity of local or tribal government, parks and
recreation departments or districts, Indian tribe, school
district, institution of higher education, nonprofit
organization, or a consortium of local partners.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any other
territory or possession of the United States, or any Indian
tribe.
SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OR IMPLEMENTATION OF
HEALTHY KIDS OUTDOORS STATE STRATEGIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to issue one
cooperative agreement per State to eligible entities to develop,
implement, and update a 5-year State strategy, to be known as a
``Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy'', designed to encourage the
people of the United States, especially children, youth, and families,
to be physically active outdoors.
(b) Submission and Approval of Strategies.--
(1) Applications.--An application for a cooperative
agreement under subsection (a) shall--
(A) be submitted not later than 120 days after the
Secretary publishes guidelines under subsection (f)(1);
and
(B) include a Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy
meeting the requirements of subsection (c) or a
proposal for development and submission of such a
strategy.
(2) Approval of strategy; peer review.--Not later than 90
days after submission of a Healthy Kids Outdoors State
Strategy, the Secretary shall, through a peer review process,
approve or recommend changes to the strategy.
(3) Strategy update.--An eligible entity receiving funds
under this section shall update its Healthy Kids Outdoors State
Strategy at least once every 5 years. Continued funding under
this section shall be contingent upon submission of such
updated strategies and reports that document impact evaluation
methods consistent with the guidelines in subsection (f)(1) and
lessons learned from implementing the strategy.
(c) Comprehensive Strategy Requirements.--The Healthy Kids Outdoors
State Strategy under subsection (a) shall include--
(1) a description of how the eligible entity will encourage
the people of the United States, especially children, youth,
and families, to be physically active in the outdoors through
State, local, and tribal--
(A) public health systems;
(B) public parks and recreation systems;
(C) public transportation and city planning
systems; and
(D) other public systems that connect the people of
the United States, especially children, youth, and
families, to the outdoors;
(2) a description of how the eligible entity will partner
with nongovernmental organizations, especially those that serve
children, youth, and families, including those serving military
families and tribal agencies;
(3) a description of how State agencies will collaborate
with each other to implement the strategy;
(4) a description of how funding will be spent through
local planning and implementation subgrants under subsection
(d);
(5) a description of how the eligible entity will evaluate
the effectiveness of, and measure the impact of, the strategy,
including an estimate of the costs associated with such
evaluation;
(6) a description of how the eligible entity will provide
opportunities for public involvement in developing and
implementing the strategy;
(7) a description of how the strategy will increase
visitation to Federal public lands within the State; and
(8) a description of how the eligible entity will leverage
private funds to expand opportunities and further implement the
strategy.
(d) Local Planning and Implementation.--
(1) In general.--A Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy
shall provide for subgrants by the cooperative agreement
recipient under subsection (a) to local partners to implement
the strategy through one or more of the program activities
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Program activities.--Program activities may include--
(A) implementing outdoor recreation and youth
mentoring programs that provide opportunities to
experience the outdoors, be physically active, and
teach skills for lifelong participation in outdoor
activities, including fishing, hunting, recreational
shooting, archery, hiking, camping, outdoor play in
natural environments, and wildlife watching;
(B) implementing programs that connect communities
with safe parks, green spaces, and outdoor recreation
areas through affordable public transportation and
trail systems that encourage walking, biking, and
increased physical activity outdoors;
(C) implementing school-based programs that use
outdoor learning environments, such as wildlife
habitats or gardens, and programs that use service
learning to restore natural areas and maintain
recreational assets; and
(D) implementing education programs for parents and
caregivers about the health benefits of active time
outdoors to fight obesity and increase the quality of
life for the people of the United States, especially
children, youth, and families.
(e) Priority.--In making cooperative agreements under subsection
(a) and subgrants under subsection (d)(1), the Secretary and the
recipient under subsection (a), respectively, shall give preference to
entities that serve individuals who have limited opportunities to
experience nature, including those who are socioeconomically
disadvantaged or have a disability or suffer disproportionately from
physical and mental health stressors.
(f) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and after notice and opportunity for public
comment, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register guidelines
on the implementation of this Act, including guidelines for--
(1) developing and submitting strategies and evaluation
methods under subsection (b); and
(2) technical assistance and dissemination of best
practices under section 7.
(g) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the Secretary approves
the Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy of an eligible entity
receiving funds under this section, and every year thereafter, the
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a report on the
implementation of the strategy based on the entity's evaluation and
assessment of meeting the goals specified in the strategy.
(h) Allocation of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving funding
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year--
(1) may use not more than 5 percent of the funding for
administrative expenses; and
(2) shall use at least 95 percent of the funding for
subgrants to local partners under subsection (d).
(i) Match.--An eligible entity receiving funding under subsection
(a) for a fiscal year shall provide a 25-percent match through in-kind
contributions or cash.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ENCOURAGING THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES TO BE ACTIVE OUTDOORS.
(a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2015, the President,
in cooperation with appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall
develop and issue a national strategy for encouraging the people of the
United States, especially children, youth, and families, to be
physically active outdoors. Such a strategy shall include--
(1) identification of barriers to the people of the United
States, especially children, youth, and families, spending
healthy time outdoors and specific policy solutions to address
those barriers;
(2) identification of opportunities for partnerships with
Federal, State, tribal, and local partners;
(3) coordination of efforts among Federal departments and
agencies to address the impacts of the people of the United
States, especially children, youth, and families, spending less
active time outdoors on--
(A) public health, including childhood obesity,
attention deficit disorders and stress;
(B) the future of conservation in the United
States; and
(C) the economy;
(4) identification of ongoing research needs to document
the health, conservation, economic, and other outcomes of
implementing the national strategy and State strategies;
(5) coordination and alignment with Healthy Kids Outdoors
State Strategies; and
(6) an action plan for implementing the strategy at the
Federal level.
(b) Strategy Development.--
(1) Public participation.--Throughout the process of
developing the national strategy under subsection (a), the
President may use, incorporate, or otherwise consider existing
Federal plans and strategies that, in whole or in part,
contribute to connecting the people of the United States,
especially children, youth, and families, with the outdoors and
shall provide for public participation, including a national
summit of participants with demonstrated expertise in
encouraging individuals to be physically active outdoors in
nature.
(2) Updating the national strategy.--The President shall
update the national strategy not less than 5 years after the
date the first national strategy is issued under subsection
(a), and every 5 years thereafter. In updating the strategy,
the President shall incorporate results of the evaluation under
section 6.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL EVALUATION OF HEALTH IMPACTS.
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, shall--
(1) develop recommendations for appropriate evaluation
measures and criteria for a study of national significance on
the health impacts of the strategies under this Act; and
(2) carry out such a study.
SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES.
The Secretary shall--
(1) provide technical assistance to grantees under section
4 through cooperative agreements with national organizations
with a proven track record of encouraging the people of the
United States, especially children, youth, and families, to be
physically active outdoors; and
(2) disseminate best practices that emerge from strategies
funded under this Act.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this Act--
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
(3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(b) Limitation.--Of the amounts made available to carry out this
Act for a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be made available
for carrying out section 7.
(c) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this Act
shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal,
State, or local funds available for activities that encourage the
people of the United States, especially children, youth, and families
to be physically active outdoors.
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