The California State Assembly voted 69-9 to pass SB 1138, which will require prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, and other state-operated facilities to serve at least one plant-based meal option. The vote follows the State Senate’s unanimous decision to pass the bill in June. “When I go to lunch, I can choose food that meets my health, ethical, or diet choices, but people in a hospital bed or prison often can’t,” California State Senator Nancy Skinner said. “My bill makes sure those who can’t prepare or buy their own meals have access to a plant-based meal.” Skinner authored SB 1138 following a June 2017 resolution by the American Medical Association that calls upon hospitals in the United States to improve the health of patients, staff, and visitors by providing plant-based meals. The American College of Cardiology made similar recommendations based on evidence that plant-based foods can help to prevent chronic heart problems. SB 1138 will now move to California Governor Jerry Brown’s desk to be signed into law. Last week, the state Assembly unanimously passed another animal-friendly bill, California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (SB 1249) which will prohibit the sale of cosmetics tested on animals in California after January 1, 2020.

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