HB 1418 Summary

• Creates the "Josephine Meade Anti-Hunger Act" to address food waste and hunger in Oklahoma by authorizing distribution of leftover and donated food to those in need.

• Requires the Department of Human Services to promulgate rules allowing senior nutrition project patrons to take home leftover food and to seek donations of packaged, nonperishable, and fresh foods for distribution.

• Directs the State Department of Education to develop rules preventing food waste in school cafeterias and policies for redistributing leftover foods to students in need.

• Amends 76 O.S. 2011, Section 5.6 to expand good-faith donation protections to include both perishable and nonperishable food items not readily marketable due to appearance or condition.

• Requires the State Department of Health to post information on its website about safe food donation options, including hyperlinks to relevant Oklahoma statutes, federal regulations, and Oklahoma State University's food center.