Plain English Breakdown
The official text states items are 'as defined' but does not provide those definitions in the summary or digest provided.
Limits on Buying Candy and Sweet Drinks with CalFresh Benefits
This law requires the State Department of Social Services to stop people from using CalFresh benefits to buy candy or sweetened drinks, except when eating at restaurants.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the department to ban buying candy and sweetened drinks with CalFresh benefits, as defined by the bill.
- Allows these items to be purchased only if bought at a restaurant using CalFresh benefits.
- Applies the same purchase bans to CFAP benefits when federal law allows it.
- Lets the department ask for permission from the federal government before starting this ban.
- Permits delaying the start of the new rules until federal approval is received.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who receive CalFresh food benefits in California
- Noncitizens who qualify for the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
- The State Department of Social Services
Terms To Know
- CalFresh
- California's name for the federal food assistance program that helps people buy groceries.
- CFAP
- The California Food Assistance Program, which gives nutrition help to certain noncitizens who cannot get CalFresh.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not define exactly what counts as a 'sweetened drink' or 'candy', only that they are defined.
- The rules may be delayed if the federal government denies permission.
- CFAP restrictions apply only to the extent permissible under federal law.