State Emergency Food Bank Reserve Program: diapers and wipes.

Assembly Member Calderon's proposal to expand California's State Emergency Food Bank Reserve Program would add children's diapers and wipes to the essential supplies distributed during declared emergencies and disasters. The legislation authorizes food banks to purchase and distribute these items to eligible low-income families with young children, alongside existing emergency food assistance.

The bill enables the State Department of Social Services to distribute funds for diaper and wipe procurement once local, state, or federal authorities declare an emergency. Food banks operating under federal assistance programs or affiliated with Feeding America and the California Association of Food Banks would receive reimbursement for purchasing and distributing these supplies to affected communities. The department maintains discretion over distribution methods to ensure appropriate use of funds.

To expedite implementation, the legislation exempts related agreements from certain contracting requirements and allows the department to proceed through administrative guidance rather than formal rulemaking. The bill explicitly includes undocumented persons among eligible recipients, consistent with existing federal provisions for state assistance programs. All expanded services remain subject to available appropriations, building upon current emergency food assistance infrastructure to incorporate these additional essential supplies.