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 Bill Text - AB-553 CalFresh: food access.

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 |Add To My Favorites |Track Bill | Version: 07/14/25 - Chaptered
 07/08/25 - Enrolled
 03/17/25 - Amended Assembly
 02/11/25 - Introduced

 AB-553 CalFresh: food access.(2025-2026)

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 Date Published: 07/14/2025 09:00 PM

AB553:v96#DOCUMENTBill Start

 Assembly Bill

 No. 553

 CHAPTER 38

 An act to amend Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalFresh.

 [
 Approved by

 Governor
 July 14, 2025.

 Filed with

 Secretary of State
 July 14, 2025.
 ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 553, Caloza.
 CalFresh: food access.

Existing federal law provides for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.

Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance, including to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.

This bill would instead require the department to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.

Digest Key

 Vote:
 MAJORITY 
 Appropriation:
 NO 
 Fiscal Committee:
 YES 
 Local Program:
 NO 

Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

18919.1.

 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.

(b) The State Department of Social Services shall
 maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.