Parents of Obese Children to pay Fine of #160,000

A bill making its way through the Puerto Rican legislature would
fine parents of obese children up to $800 if they don't lose weight.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Gilberto Rodriguez, is set to be
debated in a public hearing Friday, the Associated Press reported.

"The priority is the well-being of these children, not fines,"
Rodriguez said in a statement in Spanish . "Everyone in Puerto
Rico knows that as a society, we have a serious obesity problem."
The Washington Post reported that the obesity rate among Puerto
Rico's youth, especially its children, is particularly high. Nearly
30% of youngsters are considered obese, compared to 18% in the
mainland United States.

The law, if approved, would be enforced in four phases. Public
school teachers would flag potential obesity cases and refer
parents to a counselor or social worker.
Health Department officials would then meet with the family to
determine whether it's a result of eating habits or a medical
condition. They would then make recommendations for the
parents.

School and Health Department employees would check in on the
family's progress every four weeks. If the child doesn't show
signs of improvement in six months the parents could face a fine
of up to $800.

Julio Fontanet, dean of the Inter American University of Puerto
Rico School of Law, told El Nuevo Dia that the proposed bill is
legally questionable and would likely be ineffective.

"The government is going to have to prove that a parent,
intentionally or negligently, mistreated their children," Fontanet
said. "The question then becomes 'Does having obese children
mean that a father or mother has mistreated them?'"