Policies

Maryland Hunger Solutions provides testimony before the Maryland General Assembly in support of and in opposition to proposed legislation.

• Policy Letters
• Research

Read our testimonies below.

2023

Gender Justice in the Farm Bill Sign-On

This sign-on letter, joined by over 270 national, state, and local organizations dedicated to promoting gender justice and working to ensure all women, LGBTQI+ people, and their families can live their lives with dignity, urges lawmakers to use the Farm Bill to strengthen and expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and to make investments that advance family economic security and health.

Healthy School Meals for All in Maryland (House Ways and Means Committee), HB 628

Testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee on behalf of Maryland Hunger Solutions in support of HB 628, which aims to provide state funding for schools operating the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to provide a healthy school breakfast and school lunch to all children at no cost to them or their families.

Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program, SB 559

Testimony to the Budget and Taxation Committee on behalf of Maryland Hunger Solutions in support of SB 559, which would fully fund Maryland Meals for Achievement.

Healthy School Meals for All in Maryland, H.B. 628

Testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in support of H.B. 0628 on behalf of the Food System Resilience Council.

Maryland Meals for Achievement Program, H.B. 514

Testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in support of H.B. 0514 on behalf of the Food System Resilience Council.

Community Eligibility Provision – Increasing Options for Schools, 88 FR 17406

Testimony to the School Meals Policy Division of USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service in support of USDA’s proposed rule to lower the minimum identified student percentage for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision from 40 percent to 25 percent.

Water Access for All Protection Act – SB883

Testimony in support of the Water Access for All Protection Act. Maryland Hunger Solutions Director Michael J. Wilson speaks in support of SB 883, which would prevent Maryland water utilities from shutting off a customer’s water service due to nonpayment or overdue bills, if the customer suffers from a significant medical conditions, earns 50% or less of the median income, is an older adult (65+), or has a physical, cognitive, or medical disability.

State Disaster Recovery Fund-HB 789

Testimony on behalf of the Maryland Food System Resiliency. Maryland Hunger Solutions Director Michael J. Wilson speaks in support of HB 789, a bill that would establish a state disaster recovery fund.

Maryland Food Resilience Council – SB0124

Testifying on behalf of the Maryland Food Resilience Council, Maryland Hunger Solutions Director Michael J. Wilson speaks in support of SB0124, a bill that would formally move the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council under the Maryland Department of Emergency Management’s Office of Resilience.

2022

Reducing Harmful Plastic Pollution in Baltimore County
This document, sponsored by Maryland Hunger Solutions and a coalition of environmental and anti-poverty groups, outlines the key components of effective and equitable plastic bag reduction policies. Strategies include a paper bag fee exemption for low-income customers who use SNAP, WIC, and other food assistance programs.

December 21, 2022
Omnibus Sign-On Letter
Alongside state and local anti-hunger organizations, Maryland Hunger Solutions joined a sign-on letter on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. The letter applauds Congress for the creation of a Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program, but opposes the funding of this initiatives through cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

March 29, 2022
House Bill 456
Speaking before the Senate Finance Committee in support of House Bill 456, which requires the state to provide a supplemental benefit for any adult aged 60 and older who receives less than $45 a month through SNAP to a minimum monthly benefit of $45.

March 9, 2022
House Bill 1352
In support with amendment of House Bill 1352, Health and Wellness Standards – Correctional Facilities.

March 3, 2022
House Bill 857
In support of House Bill 857, which aims to require schools receiving a per pupil grant under the Concentration of Poverty Grant Program to provide school meals to all children at no cost to them or their families using a combination of state and federal funding.

2021

June 11, 2021
Ending Child Hunger: Priorities for Child Nutrition Reauthorization
Speaking during a House Education and Labor Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee Hearing on Ending Child Hunger: Priorities for Child Nutrition Reauthorization, sharing how Congress can support the millions of students experiencing food insecurity at home and in school.

April 16, 2021
Healthy School Meals for All Sign On
Urging the Maryland Congressional delegation to work with the Biden Administration to include Healthy School Meals for All in the upcoming infrastructure bill.

March 9, 2021
Senate Bill 767
In support of establishing the Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program in Higher Education.

2020

February 18, 2020
Senate Bill 760
In support of the Public Schools – Student Meal Programs and Meal Charge Policies Act

February 11, 2020
House Bill 209
In support of amending the Plastics and Packaging Reduction Act.

2018

March 7, 2018
Senate Bill 818
The Maryland Meals for Achievement Program

February 15, 2018
House Bill 1273
Testimony in Opposition

February 8, 2018
House Bill 315
The Maryland Cares for Kids Act

2016

March 15, 2016
Senate Bill 755 and House Bill 1325
The Free Schools Meals for Students from Low and Middle-Income Families Act

March 15, 2016
Senate Bill 756 and House Bill 1360
The Breakfast After the Bell Act

2015

February 25, 2015
Testimony in Support of SB334
The Hunger Free Schools Act
House Appropriations Committee

February 5, 2015
Testimony in Support of the Maryland Department of Aging Budget
Senate Budget & Taxation
Health and Human Services Sub-Committee

February 3, 2015
Testimony in Support of HB 66
Human Services – No Wrong Door Pilot Program
House Appropriations Committee

February 3, 2015
Testimony in Support of SB 40
Labor and Employment – Maryland Healthy Working Families Act
Senate Finance Committee

January 30, 2015
Testimony on Poverty in Maryland
House Appropriations Committee