SNAP COVID–19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020

To modify the Restaurant Meals Program under the supplemental nutrition assistance program in response to COVID–19, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the SNAP COVID–19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020 2. Restaurant meals program under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered period The term covered period 42 U.S.C. 247d (2) Program The term program 7 U.S.C. 2011 (3) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Definition of food Section 3(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2012(k) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking clauses (3), (4), (5), (7), (8), and (9) of this subsection paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (7) through (10) (2) in paragraph (8), by striking and (3) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting , and (10) in the case of households residing in an area for which a major disaster has been declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 42 U.S.C. 247d (c) Temporary streamlining of State participation (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), during the covered period, the Secretary shall waive the requirements under section 11(e)(25) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(25) (2) Covered period The Secretary may extend the covered period for the purpose of carrying out paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such action is necessary to prevent hunger in areas impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19). (d) Authorization of new retailers (1) In general During the covered period, for the sole purpose of expanding the number and capacity of retail food establishments, including restaurants, authorized to accept and redeem program benefits in order to adequately serve households that are eligible to receive program benefits, the Secretary may waive any requirements under section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2018 (2) No fees Nothing in this subsection permits any retail food establishment, including a restaurant, authorized to accept and redeem program benefits to charge fees for the redemption of those benefits, including fees described in section 7(h)(13) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(13) (e) Contracts with private establishments In the case of a contract that a State or the Federal Government enters into with a private establishment to offer meals at concessional prices under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(25) (1) allow the operation of the private establishment to continue without that determination of need for not more than 180 days following the date of that determination by the Secretary; or (2) terminate the contract and provide justification for the termination to the State in which the private establishment is located. (f) Report to Congress Not later than 180 days after the public health emergency described in subsection (a)(1) is lifted, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report that includes— (1) a description of the effectiveness of this Act in— (A) increasing access to concessional meals during the public health emergency; and (B) preventing hunger and improving health and safety among program recipients described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (9) of section 3(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2012(k) (2) recommendations for additional statutory authority needed by the Secretary— (A) to prevent hunger among program recipients during any public health emergency or major disaster; and (B) to improve health and safety among program recipients during ongoing social distancing policies relating to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19).

Summary: SNAP COVID-19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020 This bill modifies the Restaurant Meals Program under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to make additional individuals and food retailers eligible to use and participate in the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency.