This bill establishes a Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) within the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to allow eligible homeless, disabled, or elderly individuals to use their SNAP benefits at approved restaurants. The program will be administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in collaboration with county welfare agencies, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. The RMP aims to provide vulnerable SNAP participants, who may lack the means to store and prepare food, with access to affordable meals at participating restaurants.

Under the bill, the DHS is tasked with issuing annual guidance to county welfare agencies regarding eligible counties and the application process for the RMP. Each participating county welfare agency will determine the number and type of restaurants that can be approved as food vendors, considering factors such as administrative capacity and SNAP recipient demand. Additionally, public and private institutions of higher education in eligible counties must apply to become approved food vendors if they operate qualifying on-campus restaurants and must inform students about the program. The Commissioner of Human Services is required to report on the RMP's implementation and participation annually to the Governor and Legislature.