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<section article="ghu" article_name="Human Services" number="5-505" title_number="5" title_name="Public Assistance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Food Stamps">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this section, “RMP” means the Restaurant Meals Program.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>There is a Restaurant Meals Program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the Department.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The purpose of the RMP is to expand food access to individuals who:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>do not have a place to store and cook food;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>may not be able to prepare food; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>do not have access to a grocery store.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A household eligible under subsection (d) of this section to participate in the RMP may purchase hot prepared foods at participating restaurants using a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A household is eligible to participate in the RMP if the household is eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under State and federal law, and the household:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>includes only individuals who are:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>60 years of age or older; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>designated disabled by a government entity;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>includes only an individual and the individual’s spouse if the individual is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>60 years of age or older; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>designated disabled by a government entity; or</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>includes only:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>individuals who are 60 years of age or older; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>individuals who are designated disabled by a government entity.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Before participating in the RMP, a restaurant shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>submit an application and be approved under a process determined by the Department;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>become a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provider licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>be able to process electronic benefit transaction card payments at the point of sale.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each local department shall administer the RMP as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program authorized under § 5–501 of this subtitle, in accordance with federal law.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Department shall adopt regulations:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>to verify household eligibility for participation in the RMP;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>to establish eligibility standards, an application process, and an approval process for restaurants to participate in the RMP; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>otherwise necessary to carry out this section.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
