The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1475, aims to address food deserts and enhance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by establishing a Restaurant Meals Program. This program will allow eligible beneficiaries—specifically those who are 60 years or older, disabled, homeless, or the spouse of an eligible beneficiary—to use their SNAP benefits to purchase meals at participating restaurants. The Commissioner of Social Services is tasked with developing a plan for this program, which must include a variety of restaurant choices and healthy meal options. A report on this plan is required to be submitted to the relevant legislative committee by October 1, 2025, and a formal application for state participation in the program must be filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by December 1, 2025.

Additionally, the bill defines "food desert" based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Access Research Atlas and mandates that the Attorney General report annually on any price discrimination investigations against grocery stores in these areas. This report, due by October 1, 2025, will include information on federal investigations and legislative recommendations to protect consumers from price discrimination. The bill introduces new sections to the law without any deletions from existing statutes.