CalFresh: food access.
- Expands CalFresh food benefits to include hot prepared meals for immediate consumption.
- Requires the Department of Social Services to maximize food choices for recipients with special needs.
- Eliminates the requirement to seek federal waivers before expanding food options.
Assemblymember Caloza's CalFresh legislation directs the State Department of Social Services to maximize food choices for recipients, modifying the department's current requirement to seek federal waivers for expanded food options. The measure maintains the existing authorization for recipients to purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals under Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act.
The bill acknowledges several barriers CalFresh recipients face when accessing food, including lack of kitchen facilities, special dietary needs, and medication-related food requirements that can limit the utility of traditional groceries. Under the amended provisions, the department must work within federal guidelines to ensure recipients can access a broader range of food options, rather than focusing on obtaining additional waivers and approvals.
This modification to Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code retains alignment with federal SNAP regulations while adjusting the department's administrative approach to expanding food access. The measure requires no new appropriations and creates no new local programs, operating through existing state-level administrative mechanisms.
 Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Jessica CalozaD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 0 | 5 | 40 | PASS |
- Expands CalFresh food benefits to include hot prepared meals for immediate consumption.
- Requires the Department of Social Services to maximize food choices for recipients with special needs.
- Eliminates the requirement to seek federal waivers before expanding food options.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assemblymember Caloza's CalFresh legislation directs the State Department of Social Services to maximize food choices for recipients, modifying the department's current requirement to seek federal waivers for expanded food options. The measure maintains the existing authorization for recipients to purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals under Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act.
The bill acknowledges several barriers CalFresh recipients face when accessing food, including lack of kitchen facilities, special dietary needs, and medication-related food requirements that can limit the utility of traditional groceries. Under the amended provisions, the department must work within federal guidelines to ensure recipients can access a broader range of food options, rather than focusing on obtaining additional waivers and approvals.
This modification to Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code retains alignment with federal SNAP regulations while adjusting the department's administrative approach to expanding food access. The measure requires no new appropriations and creates no new local programs, operating through existing state-level administrative mechanisms.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 0 | 5 | 40 | PASS |
Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Jessica CalozaD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |