Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) is pleased to announce his legislation, Senate Bill 1133, The Ready to Learn, Ready for Health Act, has passed out of the California State Assembly with strong bipartisan support.
The Ready to Learn, Ready for Health Act is aimed at giving students practical information to make healthier choices in their everyday lives. The bipartisan legislation is sponsored by the national nonprofit End Chronic Disease and is headed to Governor Newsom for his signature.
“Chronic disease is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It affects every family and every community in California,” said Senator Strickland, who represents the 36th Senate District in Orange and Los Angeles counties. “As a father of two, I believe one of the most important things we can do is give children the knowledge to make healthy choices early in life. This legislation will help students understand how nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress, and technology impact health, learning, and long-term well-being.”
California joins a growing number of states across the political spectrum pursuing policies that support healthier school environments and focus on prevention. SB 1133 does not require schools to add a new class or adopt a specific curriculum. Instead, it works through California’s existing curriculum review process, allowing education experts to better connect preventive health topics within the state’s health education guidance.
The legislation addresses nutrition and food literacy, sleep, physical activity, stress management, digital balance and environmental factors that affect health. By bringing these subjects together, students can better understand how their daily routines influence their physical health, mental well-being and ability to learn.
“Chronic disease is not an adult-only issue. Its roots are often planted in childhood. Today, more than 40 percent of school-aged children have at least one chronic health condition—such as asthma, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and autoimmune disease—many of which can be prevented or reduced through healthy behaviors and supportive environments,” said Kelly McKenna, CEO of End Chronic Disease. “Helping young people understand how daily habits shape their health today and tomorrow is one of the most important investments we can make.”
A national poll released by End Chronic Disease last summer found that nearly 94 percent of likely voters supported nutrition education in school health classes, with nearly 63 percent strongly supporting the idea.