Substitute Senate Bill No. 1482 seeks to improve nutritional support for elderly individuals and other eligible beneficiaries through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Restaurant Meals Program. The bill requires the Commissioner of Social Services (DSS) to develop a plan for state participation in the Restaurant Meals Program, which allows eligible SNAP recipients to purchase meals at participating restaurants. The commissioner must file a report on this plan by November 1, 2025, and submit a formal application for state participation by December 1, 2025. An advisory committee, consisting of various stakeholders, including community action agencies and nonprofit organizations, is established to assist in this initiative and must report its findings to the Human Services Committee.

Additionally, the bill creates a task force to study and recommend ways to maximize the use of SNAP funds for expanding nutritional services for the elderly. This task force will review existing elderly nutrition programs and identify potential improvements, with a report due by January 15, 2026. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to submit an annual report starting October 1, 2025, on price discrimination investigations against grocery stores in food deserts. Key provisions include biannual reporting by the DSS commissioner on SNAP funding for elderly meals and the establishment of timelines for appointing members to the advisory committee and task force. Overall, the bill emphasizes collaboration among various agencies to address food insecurity among elderly individuals.