Assembly BillChaptered/SignedWelfare and Institutions
AB 1476: Meal program: senior citizens.
What AB 1476 does, verified December 7, 2025
The proposed legislation aims to amend existing nutrition programs for senior citizens. It would establish new requirements for meal programs, stating that meals must be provided either in-person or for to-go pickup to be consumed in a virtual setting. Additionally, the bill would remove the requirement for meals to ensure recommended dietary allowances.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 302, Statutes of 2025. (2025-09-12)Alert me
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| Oct. 03, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 302, Statutes of 2025. |
| Oct. 03, 2025 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 24, 2025 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Sep. 12, 2025 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3421.). |
| Sep. 12, 2025 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3421.). |
Latest bill textChaptered version, October 3, 2025 · 617 words
Assembly Bill No. 1476
CHAPTER 302
An act to amend Section 18327 of, and to add Section 18327.4 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to nutrition.
[ Approved by Governor October 03, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State October 03, 2025. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1476, Wallis. 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 60 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 1 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 5 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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 18327 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18327.
The state plan referred to in Section 18326 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 60 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. 2.
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 35 of Title 42 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.Text of AB 1476 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions