Bill > S1178

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention (office) and the Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Program within the Department of Health. Under the bill, "disorder eating" means a range of irregular eating behaviors that may or may not warrant diagnosis of a specific eating disorder. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Health such amounts as are necessary, as determined by the Commissioner of Health, to implement these provisions. The office, at a minimum, is required to: 1) create, maintain, and update annually an external-facing resource that includes key information about disordered eating; 2) collaborate with other State mental health programs and offices to align work focused on disordered eating, facilitate public outreach, and increase awareness regarding disordered eating prevention; and 3) partner with the Department of Education to inform teachers, administrators, school staff, students, and parents on disorder eating prevention. Under the bill, the office may: 1) contract with a third party to conduct focus groups, interview key individuals, conduct surveys, and establish a collaborative group to discuss key issues regarding disordered eating prevention; 2) partner with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services to identify disordered eating prevention strategies; and 3) seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purpose of the bill. The bill also establishes the Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Program, which is to be administered by Office of Disordered Eating Prevention. This grant program would provide financial assistance to eligible applicants to conduct research on the root causes of disordered eating and to examine the risk factors and protective factors for disordered eating in youth, adults, and older residents. Under the bill, "eligible applicant" means an individual, nonprofit organization, or for-profit organization, that conducts research on disordered eating and prevention or that serves individuals who have disordered eating traits. The bill directs each grant recipient to submit a written report, summarizing the research made possible with the grant award, to the office. Finally, commencing one year after the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention is required to submit to the Governor and to the Legislature, a report that summarizes the office's activities regarding the implementation of the bill, including information about the grant program and any recommendations for improving disordered eating prevention in the State.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Kristin Corrado (R)*,  Raj Mukherji (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document