Pennsylvania lawmakers endorse House Bill 615 to ease food donation liability rules

In a pivotal meeting of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee on March 25, 2025, lawmakers gathered to discuss House Bill 615, a bipartisan initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in the state. The bill, introduced by Representatives Khan and Tom Jones, seeks to expand civil and criminal immunity for individuals and organizations that donate food past its labeled date but still deemed safe for consumption.

As the discussion unfolded, Representative Khan highlighted the pressing issue of food insecurity affecting approximately 1.2 million families in Pennsylvania, with a significant portion being children. He emphasized that many food items, which are still good but past their peak freshness date, often end up in landfills instead of being donated to those in need. This legislation aims to encourage food donations by protecting donors from liability, provided they make a good faith effort to ensure the food is safe.

Representative Jones echoed these sentiments, noting that the bill serves as an essential tool in the fight against hunger. He pointed out that it allows individuals and businesses to contribute to alleviating food waste while simultaneously helping those struggling to access nutritious meals. The representatives expressed pride in the collaborative effort behind the bill, which has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the administration and the hunger caucus.

Chair of the Hunger Caucus, Representative Kinkade, underscored the urgency of the legislation, citing a troubling rise in food insecurity that has worsened since the pandemic. With uncertainties surrounding federal funding for food assistance programs, Kinkade stressed the importance of exploring all avenues to ensure that every community in Pennsylvania has access to food.

The meeting concluded with a call to action, inviting attendees to continue the conversation about food insecurity and the charitable food network in a follow-up discussion. As the committee moves forward, the hope is that House Bill 615 will pave the way for more effective food donation practices, ultimately helping to feed those in need across the state.