20250AB__147696CHP INTRODUCED 2025-02-21 AMENDED_SENATE 2025-08-29 PASSED_ASSEMBLY 2025-09-12 PASSED_SENATE 2025-09-11 ENROLLED 2025-09-16 CHAPTERED 2025-10-03 APPROVED 2025-10-03 FILED 2025-10-03 2025 AB CHP CHP 0 Introduced by Assembly Member Wallis (Coauthor: Assembly Member Ahrens) LEAD_AUTHOR ASSEMBLY Wallis COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Ahrens

An act to amend

Section of, and to add

Section 18327.4 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to nutrition. nutrition Meal program: senior citizens. Existing law establishes the California Department of Aging within the California Health and Human Services Agency. Existing law authorizes the department to make specified funds available for nutrition projects serving the needs of individuals years of age or older and their spouses, as specified.

Existing law, the McCarthy-Kennick Nutrition Program for the Elderly Act of 1972, among other things, establishes the Nutrition Reserve Fund for the purpose of maintaining existing nutrition services and lending moneys to senior nutrition projects, as specified. Existing law requires the California Commission on Aging, with the approval of the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, to develop and submit to the federal government a state plan for implementing the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, by May of each year.

Existing law requires the state plan to include the establishment of projects that provide at least one hot meal per day for or more days per week, and any additional meals that the agency or organization elects to provide, that ensure recommended dietary allowances. This bill would instead require that the projects provide those meals either served in an in-person setting, or provided for to-go pickup to be consumed in a virtual congregate setting by eligible individuals, and removes the requirements that any additional meals provided have to ensure recommended dietary allowances.

MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 18327. The state plan referred to in

Section shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (

a) Establishment of projects that, five or more days per week, provide at least one meal per day, either served in an in-person setting, or provided for to-go pickup to be consumed in a virtual congregate setting by eligible individuals, and any additional meals the contracting agency or organization may elect to provide. (

b) Provision of nutrition projects for individuals years of age or older who are eligible. (

c) Furnishing of sites for nutrition projects in close proximity to concentrations of eligible individuals’ residences, such as schools, churches, senior centers, and facilities serving older adults. (

d) Utilization of administrative methods to ensure maximum participation of eligible individuals. (

e) Provision of special menus, when feasible, to meet particular dietary needs arising from health or religious requirements or ethnic backgrounds. (

f) Provision of settings conducive to including, as a part of these projects, recreational activities, information, health and wellness counseling, and referral services. (

g) Provision of appropriate modes of transportation, when feasible, essential to maximum participation of eligible individuals confined to their homes. (

h) Establishment and administration of projects with the advice of persons competent in the field and of older Californians who will themselves participate in the program. (

i) Nutrition education.

SEC.

Section 18327.4 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code , to read: 18327.4. Notwithstanding any other law, meals served or provided to be consumed outside of an in-person setting or a virtual congregate setting may be provided under the Home Delivered Nutrition Services program established pursuant to Subpart II (commencing with

Section 3030f) of

Part C of Subchapter III of

Chapter of Title of the United States Code. Meals that are served or provided as described in this

section shall comply with the federal requirements governing that program.