| HB2774 | Paraphrase: | creates the Clean Air in Restaurants Act. It authorizes the Department of Health to implement a rebate program to reimburse restaurants for 50 percent of the funds expended, minus depreciation costs, in establishing a designated smoking room prior to Nov. 1, 2010. It grants the rebate only for restaurants that convert to a completely smoke-free environment by Jan. 1, 2013. It directs the department to use proceeds generated by the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Revolving Fund for the rebate program. The measure also creates the Oklahoma Certified Healthy Communities Act, directing the Department of Health to establish and maintain a program for the voluntary certification of communities that promote wellness, encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors and establish safe and supportive environments. It also creates the Oklahoma Healthy Communities Advisory Committee to work with the department to develop criteria for community certification. It directs the department and the committee to develop an online scoring system based on the criteria developed. It directs the program to recognize three levels of certification: basic, merit and excellence certifications. The bill also creates the Oklahoma Certified Healthy Schools Act, directing the Department of Health to establish and maintain a program for the voluntary certification of schools that promote wellness, encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors and establish safe and supportive environments. It creates the Oklahoma Health Schools Advisory Committee to work with the department to develop criteria for basic, merit and excellence certifications. The bill also allows the department to provide monetary awards for schools that earn certification, subject to available funding, to be used for the enhancement of wellness activities and the promotion of healthy environments. It also directs the department to develop an online application form for schools seeking to become certified. |
