This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Prince George's County Food as Medicine Health Program Act of 2025."

The Prince George's County Department of Health ("Department") shall establish and administer a Food as Medicine Health Program ("Program") to plan, implement, expand, and evaluate medically supportive food and nutrition interventions to improve public health outcomes. The Program shall prioritize serving residents experiencing food or nutrition insecurity and those diagnosed with or at risk for diet-related chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease and shall develop and implement an educational component of the Food as Medicine Health Program to serve these residents.

The Department may contract or partner with: public and nonprofit healthcare providers, including community health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); and nonprofit groups, such as food banks, food pantries and meal delivery organizations; and grocery stores; and health insurers; and local farms, food hubs, and agricultural cooperatives; and socially disadvantaged, minority-owned, or community-based food producers; and academic and research institutions for data collection and evaluation; and neighboring jurisdictions as a part of a collaboration seeking funding, in whole or in part, from the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments. The Department shall encourage use of locally or regionally sourced foods grown using organic, regenerative, or culturally appropriate sustainable practices.

The Program may support the following interventions, as prescribed by healthcare professionals: medically tailored meals to meet individual needs aligned with evidence-based dietary guidelines; and produce prescriptions redeemable at grocery stores, food hubs, farms, farmers markets, or farm stands, prioritizing partnering with authorized farms that accept nutrition benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and nutrition and health coaching, culinary education, including hands-on cooking or cook-along classes, or group medical visits; and food delivery or pick-up services tailored to health needs; and range of foods that are often included in FAM programs, such as healthy shelf stable goods, fresh and frozen proteins, and minimally processed local produce, in addition to fresh produce.

Established. There shall be established a Food as Medicine Health Program Workgroup ("Workgroup"). Powers and Duties of Workgroup. The Workgroup shall have the power and duty to: Advise the Prince George's County Department of Health, the County Executive and the County Council on issues and recommendations regarding the format and scope of the Program. Advise the Prince George's County Department of Health, the County Executive and the County Council on issues and recommendations regarding the Food as Medicine Health Program partnerships, education, eligible interventions, use of funds, Department reporting and implementation, technical assistance, and funding. The Workgroup can request assistance from other experts on an as needed basis to achieve its goals and objectives. Workgroup Composition; Term; Officers. The Workgroup shall be composed of twenty-one members (21) nominated by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The twenty-one members (21) shall represent each of the following: One member shall be the Council Member who sponsored this legislation, and shall serve as Chair. Two members from Federal Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs) based in the County. One member of a County-based nonprofit serving frequently underserved communities who utilize Federal Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs). One member from the County Health Department. One member from the Office of Food Security of the Department of Social Services. One member from the Department of Family Services. One member from the Office of Management and Budget. One member from the Prince George's County Public Schools. Two members from County-based hospitals and medical systems. One member of the County's Soil Conservation District. One member who is an owner or operator of a County-based farm. One member who is a Community Health Program Manager or equivalent position from a grocery store chain operating within the County. One member who is a County-based registered dietitian. One member from the Prince George's Food Equity Council. One member from a health insurance provider that provides wellness incentives, such as lifestyle medicine programs, to their clientele. One member from the Health, Wellness and Hospitality Division of the Prince George's County Community College. One member who is a County-based chef or culinary instructor. One member who is a nutritionist. One member from the community. Meetings. The Workgroup shall meet in public session monthly and upon call of the Chair. The public meetings may be held in person or virtually. Reports. A first report containing the Workgroup's recommendations regarding the format and scope of the Program shall be made to the Department, the County Executive and the County Council one year after the first meeting of the Workgroup. The report should also include any recommendations or requests it deems appropriate to further the public purpose of the Program. Twelve (12) months after the transmittal of the first report, the Workgroup shall submit to the Department, the County Executive and the County Council an annual report on its functions, activities, accomplishments, plans and objectives. The annual report should also include any recommendations or requests it deems appropriate to further the public purpose of the Workgroup.

Program funds may be used to: develop and expand eligible interventions; and provide grants or reimbursements to community-based organizations and healthcare providers; and build infrastructure for food distribution and delivery; and support administrative functions, including staffing, reporting, and evaluation.

Within three years of the actual start of the Program, the Department shall issue a public report evaluating: program impacts on health outcomes and healthcare utilization, including emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and medication adherence; and changes in participant food security and dietary behaviors; and community economic development, especially related to local food producers; and recommendations for future improvements and funding needs. Data, including qualitative data, shall be disaggregated by geography, race/ethnicity, age, and income, where feasible.

The Department shall coordinate technical assistance for local food producers and distributors, prioritizing partnering with authorized farms that accept nutrition benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), seeking to participate in the Program. Priority shall be given to small, minority-owned, and socially disadvantaged producers implementing regenerative, organic, or culturally appropriate agricultural methods.

The Department shall issue annual guidance regarding: eligible participant criteria and referral pathways; and nutrition intervention standards and dosage; and provider and vendor eligibility; and integration with existing Medicaid Managed Care Organizations and other County health initiatives.

The County shall seek federal, state, and philanthropic funding to support implementation and evaluation of the Program. The County shall encourage commitments to multi-year funding. The County Executive may include funds for the Program in the annual budget.