AB 2322 Summary

• Requires the California Department of Public Health to adopt all mandatory federal requirements and guidelines for the WIC Program to maintain federal funding compliance, without being subject to standard regulatory procedures.

• Establishes criteria for WIC vendor moratoriums, requiring the department to specify reasons, maximum duration, action plans, and provide 30 days' notice to retailers before implementing or extending a moratorium.

• Authorizes the department to establish peer groups, reimbursement systems, vendor authorization criteria, and authorized food lists through vendor bulletins and similar instructions instead of formal regulatory action.

• Requires the department to notify and consult with stakeholders (vendors, manufacturers, local agencies, participants, advocates) with at least 20 days for written comments and 30 days' advance notice before finalizing changes.

• Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to implement federal WIC Program goals and maintain compliance with federal grant requirements.