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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1250 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 140
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Edward J. Kennedy
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act concerning food insecurity and supporting the restaurant industry.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Edward J. KennedyFirst Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1250 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 140
By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 140) of Edward J. Kennedy for
legislation relative to food insecurity and supporting the restaurant industry. Children, Families
and Persons with Disabilities.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 98 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act concerning food insecurity and supporting the restaurant industry.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 18 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 39 the
2following section:-
3 Section 40. SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.
4 (a) The Department of Transitional Assistance shall establish a Restaurant Meals
5Program as part of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the
6Restaurant Meals Program, households containing elderly or disabled members, and their
7spouses, as defined in 7 U.S.C. 2012(j), or homeless individuals, as defined in 7 U.S.C. 2012(l),
8shall have the option in accordance with 7 U.S.C. 2012(k) to redeem their SNAP benefits at 2 of 2
9private establishments that contract with the Department to offer meals for eligible individuals at
10concessional prices subject to 7 U.S.C. 2018(h).
11 (b) The Department of Transitional Assistance shall adopt any rules necessary to
12implement the provisions of this Section.