Legislation authored by San Diego Assemblywoman Shirley N. Weber (D) that aims to reduce hunger on California college campuses was signed into law Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown.
Assembly Bill 214 is designed to decrease barriers for low-income students trying to qualify for the state’s CalFresh program.
“A lot of low-income students have difficulty accessing anti-hunger programs because of unclearly written policies,” Weber said in a statement. “This bill is aimed at clarifying those policies and to streamline student access to programs that would help them alleviate food insecurity.
“Twenty-four percent of CSU students experience hunger, and nearly 20 percent of University of California students do not have access to adequate food or nutrition,” she continued.
According to AB 214 text, the law will simplify the administration of CalFresh for college students. It will also require the California Student Aid Commission to inform students of information that could help them verify their eligibility for CalFresh, and it will clarify definitions of on-campus food retailers required to participate in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program.
–Staff