Bill Text: CA AB1967 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Food Insecurity Officer.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-16 - From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 1.) (May 16). [AB1967 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB1967-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1967

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Introduced by Assembly Member Jackson

January 30, 2024

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An act to add Section 12817 to the Government Code, relating to government operations.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1967, as introduced, Jackson. Food Insecurity Officer.

Existing law establishes the Government Operations Agency, which consists of several departments, including, but not limited to, the State Personnel Board, the Department of General Services, and the Office of Administrative Law. Under existing law, the Government Operations Agency is under the direction of an executive officer known as the Secretary of Government Operations, who is appointed by, and holds office at the pleasure of, the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

This bill would create, within the Government Operations Agency, a Food Insecurity Officer, to be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Food Insecurity Officer would be required to report to the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, of the Government Operations Agency. The bill would require the Food Insecurity Officer to coordinate and address food insecurity throughout state government operations and would authorize the Food Insecurity Officer to engage with state entities for these purposes, as specified.

Digest Key

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

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Bill Text

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

SECTION 1.

 Section 12817 is added to the Government Code, to read:

12817.

 (a) Within the Government Operations Agency, there shall be a Food Insecurity Officer. The Food Insecurity Officer shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Food Insecurity Officer shall report to the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, of the Government Operations Agency.

(b) The Food Insecurity Officer shall coordinate and address food insecurity across state government operations. The Food Insecurity Officer is hereby authorized to engage with state entities for the purpose of addressing food insecurity and access within state entities.

(c) The Food Insecurity Officer’s duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Advance benefit adequacy by establishing strategy and plans for benefit level adequacy under the CalFresh Program (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 18900) of part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code). The Food Insecurity Officer shall focus on increasing enrollment for seniors, families with children, individuals leaving incarceration, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

(2) Improve health outcomes by integrating nutrition and health, including through working to pilot coverage of medically tailored meals in the Medicare Program under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395 et seq.), testing Medicaid coverage of nutrition education, and other nutrition supports pursuant to a waiver pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 1115 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1315(a)), and expanding access of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries to nutrition and obesity counseling.

(3) Improve food access by addressing access to food and affordability, improve the resilience and interconnection of food systems, and improve and increase access to free and nourishing charitable food resources sourced in California, including disaster response.

(4) Seek applicable federal waivers or exemptions, as appropriate.