,,ii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bcfg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ba1 #bjad ,mr4 ,udall of ,colorado 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,bennet1 and ,mrs4 ,gillibrand7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of the ,interior to carry out programs and activities that connect the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 with the outdoors4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,act of #bjad4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds as follows3 7#a7 ,children today are spending less time outdoors than any generation in human history1 as evidenced by studies that show children enjoy half as much time outdoors today as they did just #bj years ago1 while spending more than #ga_/b hours every day in front of electronic media4 7#b7 ,the health of our children is at risk as evidenced by the growing obesity crisis where1 in the past #cj years1 childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents1 costing the economy of the ,united ,states billions of dollars each year4 7#c7 ,our military readiness is declining as nearly #a in #d applicants to the military is rejected for being overweight or obese1 which is the most common reason for medical disqualification4 7#d7 ,research has shown that military children and families are facing increased stress and mental strain and challenges due to multiple1 extended deployments4 ,military family service organizations have developed programs that connect military children and families with positive1 meaningful outdoor experiences that benefit mental and physical health1 but they lack sufficient resources to meet increasing demand4 7#e7 ,in addition to the negative economic impact of childhood obesity1 the outdoor retail industry1 many local tourist destinations or gateway communities1 and ,state fish and wildlife agencies rely on revenue generated when individuals spend time outdoors to create jobs in local communities4 7#f7 ,over the past several years1 urbanization1 changing land use patterns1 increasing road traffic1 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 schools1 parks1 and play areas or experience the natural environment in general4 7#g7 ,spending time in green spaces outside the home1 including public lands1 parks1 play areas1 and gardens1 can increase concentration1 inhibition of initial impulses1 and self-discipline and has been shown to reduce stress and mental fatigue4 ,in one study1 children who were exposed to greener environments in a public housing area demonstrated less aggression1 violence1 and stress4 7#h7 ,visitation to our ,nation's public lands has declined or remained flat in recent years1 and yet1 connecting with nature and the great outdoors in our communities is critical to fostering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts who will visit1 appreciate1 and become stewards of our ,nation's public lands4 7#i7 ,spending time outdoors in nature is beneficial to our children's physical1 mental1 and emotional health and has been proven to decrease symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder1 stimulate brain development1 improve motor skills1 result in better sleep1 reduce stress1 increase creativity1 improve mood1 and reduce children's risk of developing myopia4 7#aj7 ,children who spend time playing outside are more likely to take risks1 seek out adventure1 develop self-confidence1 and respect the value of nature4 ,a direct childhood experience with nature before the age of #aa promotes a long-term connection to nature4 7#aa7 ,conservation education and outdoor recreation experiences such as camping1 hiking1 boating1 hunting1 fishing1 archery1 recreational shooting1 wildlife watching1 and others are critical to engaging young people in the outdoors4 7#ab7 ,as children become more disconnected from the natural world1 the hunting and angling conservation legacy of ,america is at risk4 7#ac7 ,hunters and anglers play a critical role in reconnecting young people with nature1 protecting our natural resources1 and fostering a lifelong understanding of the value of conserving the natural world4 7#ad7 ,research demonstrates that hunters who become engaged in hunting as children are among the most active and interested hunters as adults4 ,the vast majority of hunters report they were introduced to hunting between the ages of #aj and #ab1 and the overwhelming majority of children are introduced to hunting by an adult4 7#ae7 ,parks and recreation1 youth-serving1 service-learning1 conservation1 health1 education1 and built-environment organizations1 facilities1 and personnel provide critical resources and infrastructure for connecting children and families with nature4 7#af7 ,it takes many dedicated men and women to work to preserve1 protect1 enhance1 and restore ,america's natural resources1 and with an aging workforce in the natural resource professions1 it is critical for the next generation to have an appreciation for nature and be ready to take over these responsibilities4 7#ag7 ,place-based service-learning opportunities use our lands and waters as the context for learning by engaging students in the process of exploration1 action1 and reflection4 ,physical activity outdoors connected with meaningful community service to solve real-world problems1 such as removing invasive plants or removing trash from a streambed1 strengthens communities by engaging youth as citizen stewards4 7#ah7 ,states nationwide and their community-based partners have some notable programs that connect children and families with nature2 however1 most ,states lack sufficient resources and a comprehensive strategy to effectively engage ,state agencies across multiple fields4 7#ai7 ,states need to engage in cross-sector agency and nonprofit collaboration that involves public health and wellness1 parks and recreation1 transportation and city planning1 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 families4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state2 or 7,b7 a consortium from one ,state that may include such ,state and municipalities1 entities of local or tribal governments1 parks and recreation departments or districts1 school districts1 institutions of higher education1 or nonprofit organizations4 7#b7 ,local partners ,the term local partners means a municipality1 entity of local or tribal government1 parks and recreation departments or districts1 ,indian tribe1 school district1 institution of higher education1 nonprofit organization1 or a consortium of local partners4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#d7 ,state ,the term ,state means any of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states1 or any ,indian tribe4 #d4 ,cooperative agreements for development or implementation of healthy kids outdoors ,state strategies 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary is authorized to issue one cooperative agreement per ,state to eligible entities to develop1 implement1 and update a #e-year ,state strategy1 to be known as a ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy1 designed to encourage the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 to be physically active outdoors4 7b7 ,submission and approval of strategies 7#a7 ,applications ,an application for a cooperative agreement under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7,a7 be submitted not later than #abj days after the ,secretary publishes guidelines under subsection 7f77#a72 and 7,b7 include a ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy meeting the requirements of subsection 7c7 or a proposal for development and submission of such a strategy4 7#b7 ,approval of strategy2 peer review ,not later than #ij days after submission of a ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy1 the ,secretary shall1 through a peer review process1 approve or recommend changes to the strategy4 7#c7 ,strategy update ,an eligible entity receiving funds under this section shall update its ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy at least once every #e years4 ,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 7f77#a7 and lessons learned from implementing the strategy4 7c7 ,comprehensive strategy requirements ,the ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 a description of how the eligible entity will encourage the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 to be physically active in the outdoors through ,state1 local1 and tribal-- 7,a7 public health systems2 7,b7 public parks and recreation systems2 7,c7 public transportation and city planning systems2 and 7,d7 other public systems that connect the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 to the outdoors2 7#b7 a description of how the eligible entity will partner with nongovernmental organizations1 especially those that serve children1 youth1 and families1 including those serving military families and tribal agencies2 7#c7 a description of how ,state agencies will collaborate with each other to implement the strategy2 7#d7 a description of how funding will be spent through local planning and implementation subgrants under subsection 7d72 7#e7 a description of how the eligible entity will evaluate the effectiveness of1 and measure the impact of1 the strategy1 including an estimate of the costs associated with such evaluation2 7#f7 a description of how the eligible entity will provide opportunities for public involvement in developing and implementing the strategy2 7#g7 a description of how the strategy will increase visitation to ,federal public lands within the ,state2 and 7#h7 a description of how the eligible entity will leverage private funds to expand opportunities and further implement the strategy4 7d7 ,local planning and implementation 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy shall provide for subgrants by the cooperative agreement recipient under subsection 7a7 to local partners to implement the strategy through one or more of the program activities described in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,program activities ,program activities may include-- 7,a7 implementing outdoor recreation and youth mentoring programs that provide opportunities to experience the outdoors1 be physically active1 and teach skills for lifelong participation in outdoor activities1 including fishing1 hunting1 recreational shooting1 archery1 hiking1 camping1 outdoor play in natural environments1 and wildlife watching2 7,b7 implementing programs that connect communities with safe parks1 green spaces1 and outdoor recreation areas through affordable public transportation and trail systems that encourage walking1 biking1 and increased physical activity outdoors2 7,c7 implementing school-based programs that use outdoor learning environments1 such as wildlife habitats or gardens1 and programs that use service learning to restore natural areas and maintain recreational assets2 and 7,d7 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 ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families4 7e7 ,priority ,in making cooperative agreements under subsection 7a7 and subgrants under subsection 7d77#a71 the ,secretary and the recipient under subsection 7a71 respectively1 shall give preference to entities that serve individuals who have limited opportunities to experience nature1 including those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or have a disability or suffer disproportionately from physical and mental health stressors4 7f7 ,guidelines ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and after notice and opportunity for public comment1 the ,secretary shall publish in the ,federal ,register guidelines on the implementation of this ,act1 including guidelines for-- 7#a7 developing and submitting strategies and evaluation methods under subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 technical assistance and dissemination of best practices under section #g4 7g7 ,reporting ,not later than #b years after the ,secretary approves the ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategy of an eligible entity receiving funds under this section1 and every year thereafter1 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 strategy4 7h7 ,allocation of funds ,an eligible entity receiving funding under subsection 7a7 for a fiscal year-- 7#a7 may use not more than #e percent of the funding for administrative expenses2 and 7#b7 shall use at least #ie percent of the funding for subgrants to local partners under subsection 7d74 7i7 ,match ,an eligible entity receiving funding under subsection 7a7 for a fiscal year shall provide a #be-percent match through in-kind contributions or cash4 #e4 ,national strategy for encouraging the people of the ,united ,states to be active outdoors 7a7 ,in general ,not later than ,september #cj1 #bjae1 the ,president1 in cooperation with appropriate ,federal departments and agencies1 shall develop and issue a national strategy for encouraging the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 to be physically active outdoors4 ,such a strategy shall include-- 7#a7 identification of barriers to the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 spending healthy time outdoors and specific policy solutions to address those barriers2 7#b7 identification of opportunities for partnerships with ,federal1 ,state1 tribal1 and local partners2 7#c7 coordination of efforts among ,federal departments and agencies to address the impacts of the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 spending less active time outdoors on-- 7,a7 public health1 including childhood obesity1 attention deficit disorders and stress2 7,b7 the future of conservation in the ,united ,states2 and 7,c7 the economy2 7#d7 identification of ongoing research needs to document the health1 conservation1 economic1 and other outcomes of implementing the national strategy and ,state strategies2 7#e7 coordination and alignment with ,healthy ,kids ,outdoors ,state ,strategies2 and 7#f7 an action plan for implementing the strategy at the ,federal level4 7b7 ,strategy development 7#a7 ,public participation ,throughout the process of developing the national strategy under subsection 7a71 the ,president may use1 incorporate1 or otherwise consider existing ,federal plans and strategies that1 in whole or in part1 contribute to connecting the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 with the outdoors and shall provide for public participation1 including a national summit of participants with demonstrated expertise in encouraging individuals to be physically active outdoors in nature4 7#b7 ,updating the national strategy ,the ,president shall update the national strategy not less than #e years after the date the first national strategy is issued under subsection 7a71 and every #e years thereafter4 ,in updating the strategy1 the ,president shall incorporate results of the evaluation under section #f4 #f4 ,national evaluation of health impacts ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 shall-- 7#a7 develop recommendations for appropriate evaluation measures and criteria for a study of national significance on the health impacts of the strategies under this ,act2 and 7#b7 carry out such a study4 #g4 ,technical assistance and best practices ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 provide technical assistance to grantees under section #d through cooperative agreements with national organizations with a proven track record of encouraging the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families1 to be physically active outdoors2 and 7#b7 disseminate best practices that emerge from strategies funded under this ,act4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this ,act-- 7#a7 #a1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjae2 7#b7 #b1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaf2 and 7#c7 #c1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag4 7b7 ,limitation ,of the amounts made available to carry out this ,act for a fiscal year1 not more than #e percent may be made available for carrying out section #g4 7c7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds made available under this ,act shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 any other ,federal1 ,state1 or local funds available for activities that encourage the people of the ,united ,states1 especially children1 youth1 and families to be physically active outdoors4