Bill > S1562

This bill proposes to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through the following key provisions: 1. It imposes an excise tax on distributors of sugary drinks, with a tiered system based on sugar content. Beverages with less than 5 grams of sugar per 12 fluid ounces are exempt, while those with 5-20 grams are taxed at $0.01 per ounce, and those with 20 grams or more are taxed at $0.02 per ounce. Syrups and powders used to make sugary drinks are also taxed based on the same tiered system. 2. It establishes the Children's Health Promotion Fund, which will be funded by the sugary drink tax revenue. The fund will be used for programs like expanding the Mass in Motion initiative, the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, water fluoridation, nutrition programs in preschools and child care facilities, and educational campaigns on the health effects of sugary drinks. 3. It requires schools to prohibit the advertising of sugary drinks and related corporate brands, with some exceptions. 4. It mandates that chain restaurants only offer water, milk, or 100% juice as the default beverage in children's meals, prohibiting sugary drinks. 5. It requires labels warning about the health risks of sugary drinks on all sugary drink advertisements. 6. It establishes a Special Commission on Access to Drinking Water in Public Places to evaluate and make recommendations for expanding access to drinking water in public spaces. The overall goal of the bill is to discourage the consumption of sugary drinks, especially among children, and promote healthier alternatives through a combination of taxation, regulation, education, and infrastructure improvements.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1562